English Standard Version

New Living Translation

1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

2Tainted wealth has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.

3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

3The LORD will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.

4A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

4Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.

5He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

5A wise youth harvests in the summer, but one who sleeps during harvest is a disgrace.

6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

6The godly are showered with blessings; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

7We have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.

8The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

8The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

9People with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

10Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.

10People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace.

11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

11The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.

13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

13Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

14The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

14Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

15A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

15The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their destruction.

16The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.

16The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.

17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

17People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.

18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

18Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.

19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

19Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.

21The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

21The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.

22The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

22The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

23Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

23Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.

24What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

24The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted.

25When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

25When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.

26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

26Lazy people irritate their employers, like vinegar to the teeth or smoke in the eyes.

27The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

27Fear of the LORD lengthens one’s life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.

28The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity, but it destroys the wicked.

30The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

30The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.

31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

31The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

32The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

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.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.