New King James Version

English Standard Version

1The preparations 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 spirits.

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

3Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.

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

4The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

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

5Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

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

6In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

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 is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.

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

9A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

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

10Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

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

11Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.

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

12It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

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

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

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

14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

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

15In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

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

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

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

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

17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards 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 a fall.

19Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

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

20He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

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

21The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

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

22Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

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

23The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

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

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

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 of death.

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

26The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

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

27An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

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

28A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

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

29A violent man 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.

30He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

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

31The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.

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

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

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.