English Standard Version

New Living Translation

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 like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.

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

2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

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

3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

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

4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

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

5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

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

6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

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

7The violence of the wicked sweeps 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 guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

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

9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

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

10Evil people desire 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.

11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.

12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

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

13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

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

14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

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

15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

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

16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

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

18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.

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

19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

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

20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

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

21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

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

24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

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

25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

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

27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

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

28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

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

29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.

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

30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.

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

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to 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.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.