New King James Version

English Standard Version

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

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

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 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 acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

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

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

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

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

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

7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

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

8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

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

9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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

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

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

11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

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

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

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

14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

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

15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

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

16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

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

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

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

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

19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

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

20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

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

21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

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

23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

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

24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

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

25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

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

26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

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

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

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

28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

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

29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

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

30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.

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

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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.