Holman Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

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

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

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

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

3Doing what is righteous and just 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10Evil people desire 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

16The person who strays from common sense will end up 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.