| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | 1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. | 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
| 3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. | 4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. |
| 5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. | 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. |
| 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. | 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. |
| 7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. | 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. |
| 8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. | 8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. |
| 9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. | 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. | 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. |
| 11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. |
| 12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. | 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. | 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. |
| 15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. | 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. |
| 16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. | 16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. |
| 17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. |
| 18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. | 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. |
| 19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. | 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. |
| 20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. | 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. |
| 21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. | 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. |
| 23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. | 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. |
| 24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. | 24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. |
| 25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. | 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? | 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! |
| 28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. |
| 29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. | 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. |
| 30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. | 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. |
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