The 17 most-voted verses about troublemakers, from 8 books, ranked by the OpenBible.info community.
Proverbs 6:16–19
BSB
KJV
WEB
BSB
16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, 19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
KJV
16¶ These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
WEB
16There are six things which the LORD hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 17arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.
KJV
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
WEB
Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
KJV
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
WEB
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
1Do not envy wicked men or desire their company; 2for their hearts devise violence, and their lips declare trouble. 3By wisdom a house is built and by understanding it is established; 4through knowledge its rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure. 5A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge enhances his strength. 6Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors. 7Wisdom is too high for a fool; he does not open his mouth in the meeting place. 8He who plots evil will be called a schemer. 9A foolish scheme is sin, and a mocker is detestable to men. 10If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength! 11Rescue those being led away to death, and restrain those stumbling toward the slaughter. 12If you say, “Behold, we did not know about this,” does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds? 13Eat honey, my son, for it is good, and the honeycomb is sweet to your taste. 14Know therefore that wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will never be cut off. 15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. 16For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times. 17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, 18or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him. 19Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked. 20For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished. 21My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not associate with the rebellious. 22For they will bring sudden destruction. Who knows what ruin they can bring? 23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”—peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him; 25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them. 26An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips. 27Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house. 28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. 29Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” 30I went past the field of a slacker and by the vineyard of a man lacking judgment. 31Thorns had grown up everywhere, thistles had covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down. 32I observed and took it to heart; I looked and received instruction: 33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, 34and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
KJV
1Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. 2For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. 3Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 4And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 5A wise man [is] strong; yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. 6For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors [there is] safety. 7Wisdom [is] too high for a fool: he openeth not his mouth in the gate. 8He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person. 9The thought of foolishness [is] sin: and the scorner [is] an abomination to men. 10[If] thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength [is] small. 11If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain; 12If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works? 13My son, eat thou honey, because [it is] good; and the honeycomb, [which is] sweet to thy taste: 14So [shall] the knowledge of wisdom [be] unto thy soul: when thou hast found [it], then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. 15Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: 16For a just [man] falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. 17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: 18Lest the LORD see [it], and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19Fret not thyself because of evil [men], neither be thou envious at the wicked; 20For there shall be no reward to the evil [man;] the candle of the wicked shall be put out. 21My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: [and] meddle not with them that are given to change: 22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both? 23These [things] also [belong] to the wise. [It is] not good to have respect of persons in judgment. 24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: 25But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them. 26[Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer. 27Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house. 28Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive [not] with thy lips. 29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work. 30I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, [and] nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. 32Then I saw, [and] considered [it] well: I looked upon [it, and] received instruction. 33[Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 34So shall thy poverty come [as] one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.
WEB
1Don’t be envious of evil men, neither desire to be with them; 2for their hearts plot violence and their lips talk about mischief. 3Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established; 4by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure. 5A wise man has great power. A knowledgeable man increases strength, 6for by wise guidance you wage your war, and victory is in many advisors. 7Wisdom is too high for a fool. He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate. 8One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer. 9The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men. 10If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small. 11Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter! 12If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this,” doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not give to every man according to his work? 13My son, eat honey, for it is good, the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste; 14so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul. If you have found it, then there will be a reward: Your hope will not be cut off. 15Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place; 16for a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity. 17Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown, 18lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him. 19Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious of the wicked; 20for there will be no reward to the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. 21My son, fear the LORD and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious, 22for their calamity will rise suddenly. Who knows what destruction may come from them both? 23These also are sayings of the wise: To show partiality in judgment is not good. 24He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous,” peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him— 25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them. 26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 27Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house. 28Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips. 29Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.” 30I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. 31Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. 32Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction: 33a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, 34so your poverty will come as a robber and your want as an armed man.
28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. 29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. 30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
KJV
28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good. 30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
WEB
28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. 29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. 30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
KJV
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places].
WEB
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
1Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” 7To you who believe, then, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed. 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. 12Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us. 13Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, 14or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. 15For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Treat everyone with high regard: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 18Servants, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but even to those who are unreasonable. 19For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended. 20How is it to your credit if you are beaten for doing wrong and you endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps: 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth.” 23When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. 24He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. “By His stripes you are healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
KJV
1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3If so be ye have tasted that the Lord [is] gracious. 4To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious, 5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7Unto you therefore which believe [he is] precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11Dearly beloved, I beseech [you] as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by [your] good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 17Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 18Servants, [be] subject to [your] masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19For this [is] thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God. 21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judgeth righteously: 24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
WEB
1Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit, hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, 2as newborn babies, long for the pure spiritual milk, that with it you may grow, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4Come to him, a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God, precious. 5You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6Because it is contained in Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, chosen and precious. He who believes in him will not be disappointed.” 7For you who believe therefore is the honor, but for those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” 8and, “a stumbling stone and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed. 9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellence of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10In the past, you were not a people, but now are God’s people, who had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims to abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good works and glorify God in the day of visitation. 13Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme, 14or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well. 15For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16Live as free people, yet not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God. 17Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 18Servants, be in subjection to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the wicked. 19For it is commendable if someone endures pain, suffering unjustly, because of conscience toward God. 20For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. 21For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, 22who didn’t sin, “neither was deceit found in his mouth.” 23When he was cursed, he didn’t curse back. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. You were healed by his wounds. 25For you were going astray like sheep; but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
12A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, 13winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. 14With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. 15Therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in an instant he will be shattered beyond recovery. 16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, 19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
KJV
12¶ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. 13He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; 14Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. 15Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. 16¶ These six [things] doth the LORD hate: yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
WEB
12A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth, 13who winks with his eyes, who signals with his feet, who motions with his fingers, 14in whose heart is perverseness, who devises evil continually, who always sows discord. 15Therefore his calamity will come suddenly. He will be broken suddenly, and that without remedy. 16There are six things which the LORD hates; yes, seven which are an abomination to him: 17arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief, 19a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. 2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. 3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. 4The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. 6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil. 7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. 8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. 9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. 10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. 11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. 12Wicked behavior is detestable for kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. 13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. 14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. 16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. 17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. 21The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. 22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. 23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. 26A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. 27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. 28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. 29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. 30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. 32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
KJV
1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD. 2All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. 3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. 4The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished. 6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil. 7When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. 8Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 9A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. 10A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. 11A just weight and balance [are] the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag [are] his work. 12[It is] an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. 13Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. 14The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. 15In the light of the king’s countenance [is] life; and his favour [is] as a cloud of the latter rain. 16How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! 17The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. 18Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. 19Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he. 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. 22Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly. 23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death. 26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. 27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire. 28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. 29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good. 30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. 31The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness. 32[He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. 33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
WEB
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 clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives. 3Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed. 4The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. 5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished. 6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. 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 great revenues with injustice. 9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps. 10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth. 11Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. 12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness. 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth. 14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. 15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain. 16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, 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. 18Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. 19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud. 20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed. 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. 22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly. 23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. 26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on. 27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. 28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends. 29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. 30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil. 31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness. 32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one 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.
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
KJV
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
WEB
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
