English Standard Version

Berean Study Bible

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

1Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

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

2Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

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

3A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.

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

4Wealth attracts many friends, but a poor man is deserted by 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 one who utters lies will not escape.

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

6Many seek the favor of the prince, and everyone is a friend of the gift giver.

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 avoid him! He may pursue them with pleading, but they are nowhere to be found.

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

8He who acquires wisdom loves himself; one who safeguards understanding will find success.

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

9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out 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 unseemly for a fool—how much worse 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 insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

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

12A king’s rage is like the roar 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 his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping.

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

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

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

15Laziness brings on deep sleep, and an idle soul will suffer hunger.

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

16He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.

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

17Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

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

18Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be party to 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 must pay the penalty; if you rescue him, you will have to do so 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 purpose of the LORD will prevail.

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

22The desire of a man is loving devotion; better to be poor 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, that one may rest content, without visitation from harm.

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

24The slacker buries his hand in the dish; he 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 mocker, and the simple will beware; rebuke the discerning man, 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 or evicts his mother is a son who brings shame and disgrace.

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

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

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

28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

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

29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs 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.

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