| Holman Christian Standard Bible | English Standard Version |
| 1The reflections 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 a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. | 2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit. |
| 3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved. | 3Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. |
| 4The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose-- even the wicked for the day of disaster. | 4The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. |
| 5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. | 5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. |
| 6Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. | 6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns 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 please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. |
| 8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. | 8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. |
| 9A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps. | 9The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. |
| 10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. | 10An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. |
| 11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are His concern. | 11A just balance and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. |
| 12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness. | 12It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness. |
| 13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly. | 13Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. |
| 14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it. | 14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it. |
| 15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain. | 15In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain. |
| 16Get wisdom-- how much better it is than gold! And get understanding-- it is preferable to silver. | 16How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. |
| 17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life. | 17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. |
| 18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. | 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. |
| 19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud. | 19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud. |
| 20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy. | 20Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. |
| 21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. | 21The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. |
| 22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. | 22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. |
| 23A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech. | 23The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. |
| 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body. | 24Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. |
| 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. |
| 26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on. | 26A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. |
| 27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. | 27A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. |
| 28A contrary man spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. | 28A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. |
| 29A violent man lures his neighbor, leading 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. |
| 30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. | 30Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. |
| 31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the way of righteousness. | 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. |
| 32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's temper, than capturing a city. | 32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes 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. |
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