New King James Version

New American Standard Bible 1995

1The preparations 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 the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.

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

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

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

4The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

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

5Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

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

6In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

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 is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.

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

9A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

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

10Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

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

11Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.

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

12It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

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

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

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

14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

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

15In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

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

16How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than 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 is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

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

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

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

19Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

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

20He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

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

21The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

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

22Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

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

23The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

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

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

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 of death.

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

26The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

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

27An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

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

28A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

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

29A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads 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.

30He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

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

31The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.

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

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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