English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

1Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity Than he who is perverse in speech and is a fool.

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

2Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge, And he who hurries his footsteps errs.

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

3The foolishness of man ruins his way, And his heart rages against the LORD.

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

4Wealth adds many friends, But a poor man is separated from his friend.

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

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

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

6Many will seek the favor of a generous man, And every man is a friend to him who gives 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 brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

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

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

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

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

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

10Luxury is not fitting for a fool; Much less for a slave to rule over princes.

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

11A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook 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 like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on 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 destruction to his father, And the contentions of a wife are a constant dripping.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, And He will repay him for his good deed.

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

18Discipline your son while there is hope, And do not desire his death.

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 anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.

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

20Listen to counsel and accept discipline, That you may be wise the rest of your days.

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

21Many plans are in a man's heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.

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

22What is desirable in a man is his kindness, And it is better to be a poor man 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 leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil.

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

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

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

25Strike a scoffer and the naive may become shrewd, But reprove one who has understanding and he will gain knowledge.

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

26He who assaults his father and drives his mother away Is a shameful and disgraceful son.

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

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

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

28A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

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

29Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And blows 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.

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