New King James Version

New Living Translation

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; 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 way of a man 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 more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7The violence of the wicked sweeps 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 guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, 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 simple is made 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 God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

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

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

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

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

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

15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come 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 be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21He who follows righteousness and mercy 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 trusted stronghold.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 wicked intent!

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

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

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

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

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

30There is no wisdom or understanding Or 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 deliverance is of the LORD.

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

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

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.