| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. | 1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. |
| 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. | 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. | 7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. | 8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. |
| 9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. | 9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. | 10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. |
| 11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. | 11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. |
| 13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. | 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. |
| 15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. | 15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. |
| 16One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. |
| 17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich. |
| 18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright. |
| 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. | 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. |
| 20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. | 20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. |
| 21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | 23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. |
| 24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. | 24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. |
| 25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. | 25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. | 26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. | 27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! |
| 28A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. |
| 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. | 29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. |
| 30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD. |
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