English Standard Version

International Standard Version

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

1People do the planning, but the end result is from the LORD.

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

2Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion, but the LORD weighs intentions.

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

3Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed.

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

4The LORD made everything answerable to him, including the wicked at the time of trouble.

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

5The LORD detests those who are proud; truly they 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 gracious love and truth, and through fear of the LORD people turn from evil.

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, even his enemies will be at peace with him.

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

8A little gain with righteousness is better than great income without justice.

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

9A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

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

10When a king is ready to speak officially, what he says should not err with respect to justice.

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

11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; he made all the weights in the bag.

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

12Kings detest wrongdoing, for through righteousness the throne is established.

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

13Kings take pleasure in righteous speech; they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.

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

14The king's wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him.

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 is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

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

16How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom, the attainment of wisdom better than silver!

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

17The road of the upright circumvents evil, and whoever watches how he lives preserves his life.

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

18Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears 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 humble among the poor, than to share what is stolen with the proud.

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

20Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers, and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.

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

21The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning, and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.

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

22Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life, but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

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

23A wise person's thoughts control his words, and his speech promotes instruction.

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

24Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body.

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

25There is a road that seems right for a man to travel, but in the end it's the road to death.

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

26The appetite of the laborer motivates him; indeed, his hunger drives him on.

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

27A worthless person concocts evil gossip — his lips are like a burning fire.

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

28A deceitful man stirs dissension, and anyone who gossips separates friends.

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

29A violent man entices his companion and leads him on a path that is not good.

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

30Whoever winks knowingly is plotting deceit; anyone who purses his lips is bent towards evil.

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

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following a righteous path.

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

32Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city.

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

33The dice is cast into someone's lap, but the outcome 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 Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.