English Standard Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

1The plans of the heart belong to man, 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 the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

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

3Commit your works 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 made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

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

5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

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

6By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

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

7When a man's ways are pleasing to 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 is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

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

9The mind of man 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.

10A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

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

11A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern.

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

12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.

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

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

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

14The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

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

15In the light of a king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

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

16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

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

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

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

18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

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

19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

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

20He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

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

21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

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

22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, 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 the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

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

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

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

25There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

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

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

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

27A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.

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

28A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

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

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

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

30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

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

31A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

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

32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures 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.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org