English Standard Version

Berean Study 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 a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

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

2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

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

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

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

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

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

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

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

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

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

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

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

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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

9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

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

10The soul of the wicked man craves 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 a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires 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 and brings the wicked to ruin.

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

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

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

14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

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

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

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

16The man who strays from the path 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 poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

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

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

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

19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

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

20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

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

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion 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 pulls 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 tongue keeps his soul from distress.

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

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

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

25The craving of the slacker kills him because 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 covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

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

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

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

28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

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

29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

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

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

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

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory 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.

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