New King James Version

English Standard Version

1Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

1Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

2Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet.

2Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

3The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD.

3When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.

4Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.

4Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

5A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

6Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

6Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.

7All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

7All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.

8He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

8Whoever gets sense loves his own soul; he who keeps understanding will discover good.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish.

9A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

10It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury, much less for a slave to rule over princes.

11The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

11Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

12The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass.

12A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.

13A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

13A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.

14Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD.

14House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger.

15Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep, and an idle person will suffer hunger.

16He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die.

16Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die.

17He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given.

17Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will repay him for his deed.

18Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction.

18Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

19A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

19A man of great wrath will pay the penalty, for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

20Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days.

20Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

21There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand.

22What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.

22What is desired in a man is steadfast love, and a poor man is better than a liar.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil.

23The fear of the LORD leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied; he will not be visited by harm.

24A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

24The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

25Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

26He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother is a son who brings shame and reproach.

27Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

27Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

28A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.

29Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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.