Christian Standard Bible

King James Bible

1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.

1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.