Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

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

2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

4The LORD has prepared 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 with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.

6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.

7When a person's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be 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 income with injustice.

8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.

9A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; 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, since 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 loves one who speaks honestly.

13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.

15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

16Get wisdom--how much better it is than gold! And get understanding--it is preferable to silver.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.

20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

22Insight is a fountain of life for 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 a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.

23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to 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 urges him on.

26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.

27A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

28A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

29A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a path that is not good.

29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness.

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's emotions, than capturing 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.

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

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.