English Standard Version

King James Bible

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

1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

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

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

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

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

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

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

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

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

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

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

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

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

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

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

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

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

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

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

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

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

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

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

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

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

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

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

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

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

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

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

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

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

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

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

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

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

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

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

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

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

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

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

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

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

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

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

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

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

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

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety 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.