| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD. | 1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. |
| 2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD. | 2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. |
| 3Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved. | 3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. |
| 4The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster. | 4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. |
| 5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished. | 5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished. |
| 6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil. | 6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. |
| 7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him. | 7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. |
| 8Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice. | 8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
| 9A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. | 9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. |
| 10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. | 10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. |
| 11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. | 11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. |
| 12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness. | 12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. |
| 13Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved. | 13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. |
| 14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it. | 14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. |
| 15When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. | 15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. |
| 16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver. | 16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! |
| 17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. | 17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. |
| 18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | 18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. |
| 19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. | 19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. |
| 20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. | 20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful. |
| 21The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction. | 21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. |
| 22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. | 22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. |
| 23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. | 23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. |
| 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | 24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
| 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. | 25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
| 26A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. | 26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. |
| 27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. | 27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. |
| 28A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends. | 28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
| 29A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good. | 29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. |
| 30He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil. | 30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. |
| 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness. | 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. |
| 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. | 32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. |
| 33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. | 33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. |
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