Proverbs

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

1Wicked people run away even when no one is chasing them. But people who do right are as bold as a lion.

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

2When a country is full of wrongdoing, it goes through ruler after ruler. But a leader with sense and understanding keeps it steady.

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

3A poor man who crushes other poor people is like a hard, beating rain that flattens the crops and leaves no food.

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

4People who turn their backs on God's law speak well of the wicked. People who keep the law stand against them.

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

5Evil men do not understand what is fair. But people who look for the LORD understand it fully.

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

6It is better to be poor and honest than to be rich and crooked.

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

7A son who keeps the law has good sense. A son who runs with wild, greedy friends shames his father.

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

8A man who grows rich by charging unfair interest is only piling it up for someone who will be kind to the poor.

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

9If a man refuses to listen to God's law, then even his prayers are disgusting to God.

10Whoso 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.

10Whoever leads honest people down a wicked path will fall into his own trap. But blameless people will be given good things.

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

11A rich man thinks he is wise. But a poor man who understands people can see right through him.

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

12When good people win, there is great celebration. But when the wicked take power, people go into hiding.

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

13Hiding your sins will never work out well. Admitting them and turning away from them brings mercy.

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

14The man who always treats God with respect is happy. The man who makes his heart stubborn falls into trouble.

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

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

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

16A ruler with no good sense treats people harshly. But a ruler who hates dishonest money will live a long life.

Note"Wanteth" in the KJV means lacks, not wishes for. The verse is about a ruler who has no good judgment.

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

17A man guilty of killing someone will keep running until he reaches the grave. No one should hold him back or help him.

Note"Let no man stay him" means no one should stop him or prop him up. "The pit" here means the grave.

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

18Whoever lives an honest life will be kept safe. Whoever lives a crooked life will fall all at once.

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

19A man who works his land will have plenty of food. A man who chases empty dreams will end up very poor.

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

20A man people can trust will have many blessings. A man in a rush to get rich will not go unpunished.

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

21Treating one person better than another is wrong. Yet some people will do wrong for nothing more than a piece of bread.

Note"Respect of persons" is old English for showing favoritism, especially by a judge who favors one side.

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

22A stingy man races after money. He never stops to see that poverty is coming for him.

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

23Correct a man honestly, and later he will like you more than the man who only flattered him.

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

24Whoever steals from his father or mother and says, "That is not wrong," is no better than a man who wrecks things.

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

25A greedy, proud man starts fights. But a man who trusts the LORD will do well.

Note"Made fat" is an old way of saying someone will do well and have enough. It is not about body size.

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

26Anyone who trusts only his own thinking is a fool. Anyone who lives wisely will be kept safe.

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

27Whoever gives to the poor will not go without. Whoever looks the other way will get many curses.

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

28When the wicked rise to power, people hide themselves. When the wicked die, good people grow strong.