New American Standard Bible 1995

New Living Translation

1The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.

2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.

3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

9It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

10Evil people desire 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.

11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

14A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

16The person who strays from common sense will end up 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.

17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.

19It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.

20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

23He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

24"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

26All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

28A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

29A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.

30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.

30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to 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

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.