International Standard Version

New Living Translation

1People do the planning, but the end result is from the LORD.

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

2Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion, but the LORD weighs intentions.

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

3Entrust your work to the LORD, and your planning will succeed.

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

4The LORD made everything answerable to him, including the wicked at the time of trouble.

4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

5The LORD detests those who are proud; truly they will not go unpunished.

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

6Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth, and through fear of the LORD people turn from evil.

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

7When a person's ways please the LORD, even his enemies will be at peace with him.

7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

8A little gain with righteousness is better than great income without justice.

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

9A person plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.

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

10When a king is ready to speak officially, what he says should not err with respect to justice.

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

11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; he made all the weights in the bag.

11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

12Kings detest wrongdoing, for through righteousness the throne is established.

12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.

13Kings take pleasure in righteous speech; they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.

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

14The king's wrath results in a death sentence, but whoever is wise will appease him.

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

15When a king is pleased, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.

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

16How much better than gaining gold is the acquisition of wisdom, the attainment of wisdom better than silver!

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

17The road of the upright circumvents evil, and whoever watches how he lives preserves his life.

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

18Pride precedes destruction; an arrogant spirit appears before a fall.

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

19Better to be humble among the poor, than to share what is stolen with the proud.

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

20Whoever listens to a word of instruction prospers, and anyone who trusts in the LORD is blessed.

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

21The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning, and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.

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

22Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life, but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.

23A wise person's thoughts control his words, and his speech promotes instruction.

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

24Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body.

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

25There is a road that seems right for a man to travel, but in the end it's the road to death.

25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

26The appetite of the laborer motivates him; indeed, his hunger drives him on.

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

27A worthless person concocts evil gossip — his lips are like a burning fire.

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

28A deceitful man stirs dissension, and anyone who gossips separates friends.

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

29A violent man entices his companion and leads him on a path that is not good.

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

30Whoever winks knowingly is plotting deceit; anyone who purses his lips is bent towards evil.

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

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is obtained by following a righteous path.

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

32Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior, and anyone who has control of his spirit is better than someone who captures a city.

32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

33The dice is cast into someone's lap, but the outcome is from the LORD.

33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

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.