King James Bible

International Standard Version

1A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

1A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth, and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.

2The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.

2The rich and the poor have this in common— the LORD created both of them.

3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

3The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences.

4By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life.

4The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, along with wealth, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.

5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person, but whoever is cautious stays far away from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

6Train a child in the way appropriate for him, and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.

7The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.

7The wealthy rule over the poor, and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender.

8He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.

8Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed.

9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

9Whoever is generous will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

10Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.

10Throw out the mocker and strife departs, too; furthermore, quarrels and discord will end.

11He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.

11Whoever loves purity and gracious speech will gain the king as his friend.

12The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.

12The LORD watches over anyone with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful.

13The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.

13The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the street!"

14The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; a man experiencing the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

15Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.

15A child's heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

16He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.

16Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy will yield only loss.

17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

17Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my teaching,

18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

18for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you and have them ready on your lips.

19That thy trust may be in the LORD, I have made known to thee this day, even to thee.

19As a result, your trust will be in the LORD, that's why I'm teaching you today, even you.

20Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,

20Have I not written for you 30 sayings containing counsel and knowledge,

21That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?

21to teach you true and reliable advice, so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you?

22Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:

22Don't rob the poor person because he is poor, and don't crush the helpless in court,

23For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.

23for the LORD will plead their case and ruin the lives of those who ruin them.

24Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

24Don't make friends with a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with someone who is easily angered,

25Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

25or you may learn his ways and find yourself caught in a trap.

26Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.

26Don't be one of those who make promises to guarantee loans for debts.

27If thou hast nothing to pay, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?

27If you don't have the ability to pay, why should your very bed be taken from under you?

28Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.

28Don't remove an ancient boundary stone that was set up by your ancestors.

29Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will work for kings, not unimportant people.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.