English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

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 like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

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

2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

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

3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.

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

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

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

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

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

6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

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

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

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

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

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

9It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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

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

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

11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; 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 one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

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

13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

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

14A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

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

15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

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

16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

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

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

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

19It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

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

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.

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

21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty 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 scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

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

23He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

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

24"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

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

25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For 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 is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

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

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

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

28A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

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

29A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

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

30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no 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 for the day of battle, But victory belongs to 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.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org