| New American Standard Bible 1995 | New International Version |
| 1The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. | 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. | 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
| 9It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin. | 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered. | 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work; | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back. | 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
| 28A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |
| New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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