1 The evil man goes running away when no man is after him, but the upright are without fear, like the lion.

1 The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.

1 The wicked (A)flee when no one is pursuing,But the righteous are (a)bold as a lion.

1 The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them,(A)but the righteous are as bold as a lion.(B)

1 The wicked flee, though no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion.

2 Because of the sin of the land, its troubles are increased; but by a man of wisdom and knowledge they will be put out like a fire.

2 For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.

2 By the transgression of a land (B)many are its princes,But (C)by a man of understanding and knowledge, so it endures.

2 When a land is in rebellion, it has many rulers,(C)but with a discerning and knowledgeable person, it endures.

2 When a land transgresses, it gains a succession of leaders, but with an understanding and knowledgeable man, its stability endures.

3 A man of wealth who is cruel to the poor is like a violent rain causing destruction of food.

3 A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.

3 A (D)poor man who oppresses the lowlyIs like a driving rain (b)which leaves no food.

3 A destitute leader(a) who oppresses the pooris like a driving rain that leaves no food.(D)

3 A poor man who oppresses the weak is like a rainstorm that destroys all the crops.

4 Those who have no respect for the law give praise to the evil-doer; but such as keep the law are against him.

4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

4 Those who forsake the law (E)praise the wicked,But those who keep the law (F)strive with them.

4 Those who reject the law praise the wicked,(E)but those who keep the law battle against them.(F)

4 Those who forsake the Law praise the wicked, but whoever keeps it fights them.

5 Evil men have no knowledge of what is right; but those who go after the Lord have knowledge of all things.

5 Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.

5 Evil men (G)do not understand justice,But those who seek the Lord (H)understand all things.

5 Evil men do not understand justice,(G)but those who seek the Lord understand everything.(H)

5 Evil men don't understand justice, but whoever seeks the LORD understands it all.

6 Better is the poor man whose ways are upright, than the man of wealth whose ways are not straight.

6 Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.

6 (I)Better is the poor who walks in his integrityThan he who is (c)crooked though he be rich.

6 Better a poor man who lives with integrity(I)than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.(b)(J)

6 It's better to be poor and live a blameless life than to be rich but crooked in one's lifestyle.

7 He who keeps the law is a wise son, but he who keeps company with feasters puts shame on his father.

7 Whoso keepeth the law is a wise son: but he that is a companion of riotous men shameth his father.

7 He who keeps the law is a discerning son,But he who is a companion of (J)gluttons humiliates his father.

7 A discerning son keeps the law,but a companion of gluttons humiliates his father.(K)

7 Whoever keeps the Law is a discerning son, but whoever keeps company with gluttons brings shame to his father.

8 He who makes his wealth greater by taking interest, only gets it together for him who has pity on the poor.

8 He that by usury and unjust gain increaseth his substance, he shall gather it for him that will pity the poor.

8 He who increases his wealth by (K)interest and usuryGathers it (L)for him who is gracious to the poor.

8 Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest(L)collects it for one who is kind to the poor.(M)

8 Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant interest collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

9 As for the man whose ear is turned away from hearing the law, even his prayer is disgusting.

9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

9 He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,Even his (M)prayer is an abomination.

9 Anyone who turns his ear away from hearing the law—even his prayer is detestable.(N)

9 If someone quits listening to the Law even his prayer is detestable.

10 Anyone causing the upright to go wandering in an evil way, will himself go down into the hole he has made; but the upright will have good things for their heritage.

10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

10 He who leads the upright astray in an evil wayWill (N)himself fall into his own pit,But the (O)blameless will inherit good.

10 The one who leads the upright into an evil waywill fall into his own pit,(O)but the blameless will inherit what is good.(P)

10 Whoever misleads the upright along an evil way will himself fall into his own pit, but the blameless will inherit what is good.

11 The man of wealth seems to himself to be wise, but the poor man who has sense has a low opinion of him.

11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out.

11 The rich man is (P)wise in his own eyes,But the poor who has understanding (d)sees through him.

11 A rich man is wise in his own eyes,but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.

11 The rich man may be wise in his own opinion; but a discerning, poor man sees through him.

12 When the upright do well, there is great glory; but when evil-doers are lifted up, men do not let themselves be seen.

12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

12 When the (Q)righteous triumph, there is great glory,But (R)when the wicked rise, men (e)hide themselves.

12 When the righteous triumph,there is great rejoicing,(c)but when the wicked come to power,people hide themselves.(Q)

12 When the righteous are victorious, there is great glory, but when the wicked arise, men hide themselves.

13 He who keeps his sins secret will not do well; but one who is open about them, and gives them up, will get mercy.

13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

13 He who (S)conceals his transgressions will not prosper,But he who (T)confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.

13 The one who conceals his sinswill not prosper,(R)but whoever confesses and renounces themwill find mercy.(S)

13 Whoever hides his transgressions will not succeed, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will find mercy.

14 Happy is the man in whom is the fear of the Lord at all times; but he whose heart is hard will come into trouble.

14 Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

14 How blessed is the man who (U)fears always,But he who (V)hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

14 Happy is the one who is always reverent,(T)but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.(U)

14 Blessed is the man who always fears the LORD, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into disaster.

15 Like a loud-voiced lion and a wandering bear, is an evil ruler over a poor people.

15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

15 Like a (W)roaring lion and a rushing bearIs a (X)wicked ruler over a poor people.

15 A wicked ruler over a helpless people(V)is like a roaring lion or a charging bear.(W)

15 A roaring lion and a charging bear that's what a wicked tyrant is over poor people.

16 The prince who has no sense is a cruel ruler; but he who has no desire to get profit for himself will have long life.

16 The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

16 A (Y)leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding,But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

16 A leader who lacks understandingis very oppressive,but one who hates dishonest profitprolongs his life.(X)

16 A Commander-in-Chief who is a cruel oppressor lacks understanding, but whoever hates unjust gain will live longer.

17 One who has been the cause of a man's death will go in flight to the underworld: let no man give him help.

17 A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.

17 A man who is (Z)laden with the guilt of human bloodWill (f)be a fugitive until death; let no one support him.

17 A man burdened by bloodguilt(d)will be a fugitive until death.(Y)Let no one help him.(Z)

17 A guilty man tormented by bloodshed will be a lifelong fugitive; let no one support him.

18 He whose ways are upright will be safe, but sudden will be the fall of him whose ways are twisted.

18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.

18 He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,But he who is (g)(AA)crooked will fall all at once.

18 The one who lives with integrity will be helped,but one who distorts right and wrong(e)will suddenly fall.(AA)

18 Whoever lives blamelessly will be delivered, but whoever is perverted will fall without warning.

19 By ploughing his land a man will have bread in full measure; but he who goes after good-for-nothing persons will be poor enough.

19 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

19 (AB)He who tills his land will (AC)have plenty of food,But he who follows empty pursuits will have poverty in plenty.

19 The one who works his landwill have plenty of food,(AB)but whoever chases fantasieswill have his fill of poverty.(AC)

19 Whoever works his farmland will have abundant food, but whoever chases fantasies will become very poor.

20 A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.

20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

20 A (AD)faithful man will abound with blessings,But he who (AE)makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished.

20 A faithful man will have many blessings,(AD)but one in a hurry to get rich(AE)will not go unpunished.

20 The faithful man will prosper with blessings, but whoever is in a hurry to get rich will not escape punishment.

21 It is not good to have respect for a man's position: for a man will do wrong for a bit of bread.

21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.

21 To (h)(AF)show partiality is not good,(AG)Because for a piece of bread a man will transgress.

21 It is not good to show partiality(AF)yet a man may sin for a piece of bread.(AG)

21 To show partiality isn't good, yet for a piece of bread the valiant will transgress.

22 He who is ever desiring wealth goes running after money, and does not see that need will come on him.

22 He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.

22 A man with an (AH)evil eye (AI)hastens after wealthAnd does not know that want will come upon him.

22 A greedy man(f) is in a hurry for wealth;he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.(AH)

22 The miser is in a hurry to get wealthy, but he isn't aware that poverty will catch up with him.

23 He who says words of protest to a man will later have more approval than one who says smooth words with his tongue.

23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

23 He who (AJ)rebukes a man will afterward find more favorThan he who (AK)flatters with the tongue.

23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor(AI)than one who flatters(g) with his tongue.(AJ)

23 Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor than someone who flatters with his words.

24 He who takes from his father or his mother what is theirs by right, and says, It is no sin; is the same as a taker of life.

24 Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.

24 He who (AL)robs his father or his motherAnd says, “It is not a transgression,”Is the (AM)companion of a man who destroys.

24 The one who robs his father or mother(AK)and says, “That’s no sin,”(AL)is a companion to a man who destroys.(AM)

24 Whoever steals from his father or mother but claims, "It's no sin," is a companion to someone who demolishes.

25 He who is ever desiring profit is a cause of fighting; but he who puts his faith in the Lord will be made fat.

25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.

25 An (i)arrogant man (AN)stirs up strife,But he who (AO)trusts in the Lord (AP)will (j)prosper.

25 A greedy person provokes conflict,(AN)but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.(AO)

25 An arrogant man stirs up dissension, but anyone who trusts in the LORD prospers.

26 He whose faith is in himself is foolish; but everyone walking wisely will be kept safe.

26 He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

26 He who (AQ)trusts in his own heart is a fool,But he who walks wisely will be delivered.

26 The one who trusts in himself(h) is a fool,but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.(AP)

26 Whoever trusts in himself is foolish, but whoever lives wisely will be kept safe.

27 He who gives to the poor will never be in need, but great curses will be on him who gives no attention to them.

27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

27 He who (AR)gives to the poor will never want,But he who (k)shuts his eyes will have many curses.

27 The one who gives to the poorwill not be in need,but one who turns his eyes away(i)will receive many curses.(AQ)

27 Whoever gives to the poor will never lack, but whoever shuts his eyes to their poverty will be cursed.

28 When evil-doers are lifted up, men take cover; but when destruction overtakes them, the upright are increased.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;But when they perish, the righteous increase.

28 When the wicked come to power,people hide,but when they are destroyed,the righteous flourish.(AR) >

28 When the wicked rise to power, people hide themselves, but when the wicked perish, the righteous increase.

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

King James Version Public Domain

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org