| Holman Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. | 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. | 5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. | 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
| 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. | 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin. | 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. | 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. | 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
| 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |
| Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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