English Standard Version

International Standard Version

1A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold.

1A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth, and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.

2The rich and the poor meet together; the LORD is the Maker of them all.

2The rich and the poor have this in common— the LORD created both of them.

3The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

3The prudent person sees trouble ahead and hides, but the naive continue on and suffer the consequences.

4The reward for humility and fear of the LORD is riches and honor and life.

4The reward of humility is the fear of the LORD, along with wealth, honor, and life.

5Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

5Thorns and snares lie in the path of the perverse person, but whoever is cautious stays far away from them.

6Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

6Train a child in the way appropriate for him, and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.

7The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

7The wealthy rule over the poor, and anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender.

8Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.

8Whoever sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the anger he uses for a weapon will be destroyed.

9Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed, for he shares his bread with the poor.

9Whoever is generous will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.

10Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

10Throw out the mocker and strife departs, too; furthermore, quarrels and discord will end.

11He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

11Whoever loves purity and gracious speech will gain the king as his friend.

12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

12The LORD watches over anyone with knowledge, but he ruins the plans of the unfaithful.

13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”

13The lazy person says, "There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the street!"

14The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.

14The mouth of an immoral woman is a deep pit; a man experiencing the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

15A child's heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

16Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

16Whoever oppresses the poor to enrich himself and whoever gives gifts to the wealthy will yield only loss.

17Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,

17Pay attention and listen to the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my teaching,

18for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.

18for it is pleasant when you treasure them within you and have them ready on your lips.

19That your trust may be in the LORD, I have made them known to you today, even to you.

19As a result, your trust will be in the LORD, that's why I'm teaching you today, even you.

20Have I not written for you thirty sayings of counsel and knowledge,

20Have I not written for you 30 sayings containing counsel and knowledge,

21to make you know what is right and true, that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

21to teach you true and reliable advice, so you can give truthful answers to those who sent you?

22Do not rob the poor, because he is poor, or crush the afflicted at the gate,

22Don't rob the poor person because he is poor, and don't crush the helpless in court,

23for the LORD will plead their cause and rob of life those who rob them.

23for the LORD will plead their case and ruin the lives of those who ruin them.

24Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

24Don't make friends with a hot-tempered man, and do not associate with someone who is easily angered,

25lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

25or you may learn his ways and find yourself caught in a trap.

26Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts.

26Don't be one of those who make promises to guarantee loans for debts.

27If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

27If you don't have the ability to pay, why should your very bed be taken from under you?

28Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.

28Don't remove an ancient boundary stone that was set up by your ancestors.

29Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.

29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will work for kings, not unimportant people.

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.