King James Bible

New Living Translation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh 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 is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness 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 live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh 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 the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

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.