| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable 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 unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. | 8The way of the guilty is devious, 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 share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 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; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. | 12The Righteous One takes note of 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 their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive 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 unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of 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 craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 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 evil intent! |
| 28A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with 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. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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