King James Bible

Christian Standard Bible

1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

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

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

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

3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

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

4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

4The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose--even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

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

7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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

8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.

9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

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

10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

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

11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his concern.

12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

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

15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

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

16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

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

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

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

18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

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

19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

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

20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

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

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

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

22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.

24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

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

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

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

26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.

27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

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

28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

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

29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

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

30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

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

31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

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

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

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

33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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