English Standard Version

International Standard Version

1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.

2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.

8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.

9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.

11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.

12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered.

14A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.

15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.

16One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.

16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.

17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.

18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.

20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.

23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.

24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.

25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!

28A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully.

29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.

29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing.

30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.

31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

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