| New International Version | New Living Translation |
| 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. | 1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. |
| 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. |
| 3To do what is right 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. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. | 4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. | 5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. |
| 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. | 6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. | 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. |
| 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. | 8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. |
| 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. | 9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. |
| 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. | 10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. | 11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. |
| 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and 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. |
| 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry 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 gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. | 14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. |
| 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. | 15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. |
| 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. | 16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. |
| 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. | 17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. | 18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. |
| 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. | 19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. |
| 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. | 20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. |
| 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. |
| 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. | 23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. |
| 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. | 24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. |
| 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. | 25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. | 26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! | 27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. |
| 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. | 28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. |
| 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. | 29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. |
| 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. | 30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. | 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. |
| 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. | 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. |
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