English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
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The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
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All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
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Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
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The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
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All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
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By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
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When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
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Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
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The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
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Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
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Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
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It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
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Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
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A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
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In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
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How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
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The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
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Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
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It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
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Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
21 The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
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The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
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Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
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The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
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Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
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Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
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The appetite of workers works for them; their hunger urges them on.
27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
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Scoundrels concoct evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
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A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
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The violent entice their neighbors, and lead them in a way that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
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One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
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Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
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One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
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The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord's alone.
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.