New King James Version

King James Bible

1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.

3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

6Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.

17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

22What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.

22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

24A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

27Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.