King James Bible

New Living Translation

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

1Better to be poor and honest than to be dishonest and a fool.

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

2Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes.

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

3People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD.

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

4Wealth makes many “friends”; poverty drives them all away.

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

5A false witness will not go unpunished, nor will a liar escape.

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

6Many seek favors from a ruler; everyone is the friend of a 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.

7The relatives of the poor despise them; how much more will their friends avoid them! Though the poor plead with them, their friends are gone.

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

8To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish 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 a liar will be destroyed.

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

10It isn’t right for a fool to live in luxury or for a slave to rule over princes!

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

11Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

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

12The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar, 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 a calamity to a father; a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.

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

14Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.

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

15Lazy people sleep soundly, but idleness leaves them hungry.

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

16Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them leads to death.

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

17If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!

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

18Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.

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

19Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

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

20Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.

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

21You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail.

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

22Loyalty makes a person attractive. It is better to be poor than dishonest.

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

23Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm.

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

24Lazy people take food in their hand but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

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

25If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson; if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

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

26Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother are an embarrassment and a public 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 turn your back on knowledge.

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

28A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

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

29Punishment is made for mockers, and the backs of fools are made to be beaten.

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.