English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
1
One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.
3 He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.
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A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad, but to keep company with prostitutes is to squander one's substance.
4 By justice a king builds up the land, but he who exacts gifts tears it down.
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By justice a king gives stability to the land, but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
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Whoever flatters a neighbor is spreading a net for the neighbor's feet.
6 An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
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In the transgression of the evil there is a snare, but the righteous sing and rejoice.
7 A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
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The righteous know the rights of the poor; the wicked have no such understanding.
8 Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
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Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
9 If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
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If the wise go to law with fools, there is ranting and ridicule without relief.
10 Bloodthirsty men hate one who is blameless and seek the life of the upright.
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The bloodthirsty hate the blameless, and they seek the life of the upright.
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
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A fool gives full vent to anger, but the wise quietly holds it back.
12 If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
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If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
13 The poor man and the oppressor meet together; the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
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The poor and the oppressor have this in common: the Lord gives light to the eyes of both.
14 If a king faithfully judges the poor, his throne will be established forever.
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If a king judges the poor with equity, his throne will be established forever.
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
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The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.
16 When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
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When the wicked are in authority, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.
17 Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.
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Discipline your children, and they will give you rest; they will give delight to your heart.
18 Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
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Where there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint, but happy are those who keep the law.
19 By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
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By mere words servants are not disciplined, for though they understand, they will not give heed.
20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
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Do you see someone who is hasty in speech? There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.
21 Whoever pampers his servant from childhood will in the end find him his heir.
21
A slave pampered from childhood will come to a bad end.
22 A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.
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One given to anger stirs up strife, and the hothead causes much transgression.
23 One’s pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
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A person's pride will bring humiliation, but one who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
24 The partner of a thief hates his own life; he hears the curse, but discloses nothing.
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To be a partner of a thief is to hate one's own life; one hears the victim's curse, but discloses nothing.
25 The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
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The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the Lord is secure.
26 Many seek the face of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that a man gets justice.
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Many seek the favor of a ruler, but it is from the Lord that one gets justice.
27 An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.
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The unjust are an abomination to the righteous, but the upright are an abomination to the wicked.
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.