Holman Christian Standard Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

1The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

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

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved.

3Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

4The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose-- even the wicked for the day of disaster.

4The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.

6By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

7When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

7When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.

8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

9A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

9The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

10A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

11A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern.

12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.

13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it.

14The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

15In the light of a king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

16Get wisdom-- how much better it is than gold! And get understanding-- it is preferable to silver.

16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.

20He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.

23A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.

23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

25There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.

26A worker's appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

27A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.

28A contrary man spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

28A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

29A violent man lures his neighbor, leading him in a way that is not good.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.

30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the way of righteousness.

31A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's temper, than capturing a city.

32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

33The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

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

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