English Standard Version

King James Bible

1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

3Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

4The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

9The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

11A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

26A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

27A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

30Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

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.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.