English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.

2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives.

3Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

4The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

4The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose--even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil.

6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

7When a person's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.

9The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

9A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his concern.

12It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.

14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

16Get wisdom--how much better it is than gold! And get understanding--it is preferable to silver.

17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.

17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

20Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.

21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.

22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.

24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.

26A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.

26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.

27A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

27A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

28A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.

29A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a path that is not good.

30Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.

31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness.

32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's emotions, than capturing a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from 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.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.