| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. | 1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his speech and is a fool. |
| 2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. | 2It is dangerous to have zeal without knowledge, and the one who acts hastily makes poor choices. |
| 3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. | 3A person's folly subverts his way, and his heart rages against the LORD. |
| 4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour. | 4Wealth adds many friends, but a poor person is separated from his friend. |
| 5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape. | 5A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will not escape punishment. |
| 6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts. | 6Many people entreat the favor of a generous person, and everyone is the friend of the person who gives gifts. |
| 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. | 7All the relatives of a poor person hate him; how much more do his friends avoid him--he pursues them with words, but they do not respond. |
| 8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good. | 8The one who acquires wisdom loves himself; the one who preserves understanding will prosper. |
| 9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish. | 9A false witness will not go unpunished, and the one who spouts out lies will perish. |
| 10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes. | 10Luxury is not appropriate for a fool; how much less for a servant to rule over princes! |
| 11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. | 11A person's wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense. |
| 12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass. | 12A king's wrath is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. |
| 13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. | 13A foolish child is the ruin of his father, and a contentious wife is like a constant dripping. |
| 14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD. | 14A house and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. |
| 15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. | 15Laziness brings on a deep sleep, and the idle person will go hungry. |
| 16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. | 16The one who obeys commandments guards his life; the one who despises his ways will die. |
| 17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. | 17The one who is gracious to the poor lends to the LORD, and the LORD will repay him for his good deed. |
| 18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. | 18Discipline your child, for there is hope, but do not set your heart on causing his death. |
| 19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again. | 19A person with great anger bears the penalty, but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again. |
| 20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. | 20Listen to advice and receive discipline, that you may become wise by the end of your life. |
| 21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. | 21There are many plans in a person's mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand. |
| 22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. | 22What is desirable for a person is to show loyal love, and a poor person is better than a liar. |
| 23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil. | 23Fearing the LORD leads to life, and one who does so will live satisfied; he will not be afflicted by calamity. |
| 24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. | 24The sluggard plunges his hand in the dish, and he will not even bring it back to his mouth! |
| 25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge. | 25Flog a scorner, and as a result the simpleton will learn prudence; correct a discerning person, and as a result he will understand knowledge. |
| 26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach. | 26The one who robs his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace. |
| 27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge. | 27If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will stray from the words of knowledge. |
| 28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity. | 28A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. |
| 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools. | 29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and floggings for the backs of fools. |
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