New King James Version

International Standard Version

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.

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

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.

4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.

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

5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.

9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.

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

10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.

11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered.

14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.

15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.

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

16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.

17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.

20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.

21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.

23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.

24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.

25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.

26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back.

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

27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!

28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully.

29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing.

30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.

30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.

31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.