English Standard Version

King James Bible

1Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns.

2A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved.

3A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones.

4A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.

5The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

6The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.

7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.

8A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread.

9He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

10A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.

11He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit.

12The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.

13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

16A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

17He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

18There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

19The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.

20Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy.

21No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble.

21There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

22Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

23A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor.

24The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

25Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth.

27The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

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.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.