English Standard Version

King James Bible

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

1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

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

2Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

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

3The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

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

4Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

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

5A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

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

6Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

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.

7All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

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

8He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

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

9A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

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

10Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

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

11The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

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

12The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

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

13A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

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

14House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

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

15Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

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

16He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

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

17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

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

18Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

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

19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

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

20Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

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

21There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

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

22The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

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

23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

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

24A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

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

25Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

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

26He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

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

27Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

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

28An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

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

29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

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.