English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
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A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.
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When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but wisdom is with the humble.
3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
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The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.
4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
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Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.
5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
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The righteousness of the blameless keeps their ways straight, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
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The righteousness of the upright saves them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes.
7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish, and the expectation of wealth perishes too.
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When the wicked die, their hope perishes, and the expectation of the godless comes to nothing.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble, and the wicked walks into it instead.
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The righteous are delivered from trouble, and the wicked get into it instead.
9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
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With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.
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When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; and when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.
11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
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By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
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Whoever belittles another lacks sense, but an intelligent person remains silent.
13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
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A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.
14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
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Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm, but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.
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To guarantee loans for a stranger brings trouble, but there is safety in refusing to do so.
16 A gracious woman gets honor, and violent men get riches.
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A gracious woman gets honor, but she who hates virtue is covered with shame. The timid become destitute, but the aggressive gain riches.
17 A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.
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Those who are kind reward themselves, but the cruel do themselves harm.
18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.
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The wicked earn no real gain, but those who sow righteousness get a true reward.
19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but he who pursues evil will die.
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Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but whoever pursues evil will die.
20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
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Crooked minds are an abomination to the Lord, but those of blameless ways are his delight.
21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
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Be assured, the wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will escape.
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman without discretion.
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Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman without good sense.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
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The desire of the righteous ends only in good; the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
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Some give freely, yet grow all the richer; others withhold what is due, and only suffer want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
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A generous person will be enriched, and one who gives water will get water.
26 The people curse him who holds back grain, but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.
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The people curse those who hold back grain, but a blessing is on the head of those who sell it.
27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.
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Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to the one who searches for it.
28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
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Those who trust in their riches will wither, but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.
29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
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Those who trouble their households will inherit wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise.
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The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, but violence takes lives away.
31 If the righteous is repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
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If the righteous are repaid on earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner!
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.