New Living Translation

Holman Christian Standard Bible

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

1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.

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

2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

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

3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.

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

5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

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

6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

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

7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

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

8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.

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

9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

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

11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

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

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin.

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

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

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

14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

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

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

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

17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

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

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

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

19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

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

20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them.

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

21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

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

22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.

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

23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

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

24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride.

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

25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

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

26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

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

27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

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

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

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

29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way.

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

30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.

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

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.

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.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.