| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. | 1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases. |
| 2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. | 2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. | 4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | 5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor. |
| 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. | 6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. | 7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just. |
| 8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. | 8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright. |
| 9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. | 9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman. |
| 10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. | 10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor. |
| 11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. | 12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin. |
| 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. | 13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered. |
| 14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. | 14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger. |
| 15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. | 15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity. |
| 16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. | 16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered. |
| 17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich. | 17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches. |
| 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright. | 18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. | 19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman. |
| 20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. | 20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them. |
| 21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust. |
| 23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. | 23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble. |
| 24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. | 24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit. |
| 25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. | 25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. | 26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back. |
| 27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! | 27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives! |
| 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. | 28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. | 29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. |
| 30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD. | 30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD. |
| 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD. | 31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory. |
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