King James Bible

New Living Translation

1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

1The LORD detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.

2When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

2Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

3The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

3Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people.

4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

4Riches won’t help on the day of judgment, but right living can save you from death.

5The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

5The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.

6The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

6The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

7When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

7When the wicked die, their hopes die with them, for they rely on their own feeble strength.

8The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

8The godly are rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.

9An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

9With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

10When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

10The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the wicked die.

11By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

11Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

12He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

12It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.

13A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

13A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

14Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.

14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

15He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

15There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt; it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

16A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

16A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.

17The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

17Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.

18The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

18Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last.

19As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

19Godly people find life; evil people find death.

20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

20The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity.

21Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

21Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.

22As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

22A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout.

23The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

23The godly can look forward to a reward, while the wicked can expect only judgment.

24There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

24Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.

25The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

25The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

26He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

26People curse those who hoard their grain, but they bless the one who sells in time of need.

27He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

27If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!

28He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

28Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.

29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

29Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.

30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

30The seeds of good deeds become a tree of life; a wise person wins friends.

31Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

31If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, what will happen to wicked sinners?

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.