English Standard Version ESV
New International Version NIV
6 for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
6
Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers.
7 Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
7
Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
8 Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.
8
Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.
9 The devising of folly is sin, and the scoffer is an abomination to mankind.
9
The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.
10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
10
If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!
11 Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter.
11
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.
12 If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
12
If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?
13 My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste.
13
Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste.
14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.
14
Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
15 Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;
15
Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place;
16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
16
for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.