English Standard Version

Christian Standard Bible

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

1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.

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

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

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

3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.

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

5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

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

6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

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 act justly.

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

8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior 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 the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

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

10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

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

11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

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

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.

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

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

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

14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

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

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

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

16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

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

17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

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

18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.

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

19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

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

20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.

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

21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful 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.

22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.

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

23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

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

24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.

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

25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

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

26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

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

27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

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

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

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

29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.

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

30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.

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

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes 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.