Berean Study Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

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

2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

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

3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

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

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

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

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

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

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

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

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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

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

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

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

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

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

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

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

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

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

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

14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

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

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

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

16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

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

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

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

19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

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

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

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

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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

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

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

23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

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

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

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

25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

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

26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

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

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

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

28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

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

29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

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

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

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

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

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

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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