New Living Translation

New American Standard Bible 1995

1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

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

2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

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

3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

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

4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

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

5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

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

6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.

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

7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

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

8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.

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

9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

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

10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.

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

11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

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

12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.

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

13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

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

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.

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

15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring 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 good judgment than silver!

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

17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

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

18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

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

19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

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

20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

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

21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

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

22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.

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

23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

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

24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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

25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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

26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.

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

27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

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

28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

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

29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

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

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

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

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

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

32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer 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.

33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

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

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.

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