English Standard Version

New Living Translation

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

1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

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

2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

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

3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

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

4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

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

5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

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

6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.

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

7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

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

8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.

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

9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

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

10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.

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

11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

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

12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.

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

13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

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

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to 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.

15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

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

16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

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

17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

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

18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness 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 live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

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

20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

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

21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

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

22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.

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

23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

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

24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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

25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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

26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.

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

27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

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

28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

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

29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

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

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

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

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

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

32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

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

33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

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.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.