New King James Version

English Standard Version

1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son makes a glad father, But a foolish son is the grief of his mother.

1The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death.

2Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit, but righteousness delivers from death.

3The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish, But He casts away the desire of the wicked.

3The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.

4He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.

4A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.

5He who gathers in summer is a wise son; He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.

5He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.

6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

7The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

7The memory of the righteous is a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

8The wise in heart will receive commands, But a prating fool will fall.

8The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

9He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.

9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.

10He who winks with the eye causes trouble, But a prating fool will fall.

10Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin.

11The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

12Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.

13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.

14Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

14The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

15The rich man’s wealth is his strong city; The destruction of the poor is their poverty.

15A rich man’s wealth is his strong city; the poverty of the poor is their ruin.

16The labor of the righteous leads to life, The wages of the wicked to sin.

16The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin.

17He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, But he who refuses correction goes astray.

17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.

18Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

19In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

19When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.

20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.

21The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.

21The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.

22The blessing of the LORD makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it.

22The blessing of the LORD makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.

23To do evil is like sport to a fool, But a man of understanding has wisdom.

23Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool, but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

24The fear of the wicked will come upon him, And the desire of the righteous will be granted.

24What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.

25When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, But the righteous has an everlasting foundation.

25When the tempest passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is established forever.

26As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazy man to those who send him.

26Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.

27The fear of the LORD prolongs days, But the years of the wicked will be shortened.

27The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.

28The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish.

28The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

29The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

29The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.

30The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

30The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.

31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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.