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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
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1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
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2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
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2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
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3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
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3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
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4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
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4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
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5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
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5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
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6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
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6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
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7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
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7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
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8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
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8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
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9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
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10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
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10 The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him.
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11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
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11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.
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12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.
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12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
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13 He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
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13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
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14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
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14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
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15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
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15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
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16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
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16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.
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17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
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17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
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18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
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18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
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19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.
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19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
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20 Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
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20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
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21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
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21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
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22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
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22 A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
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23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
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23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
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24 "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
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24 The proud and arrogant man--"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.
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25 The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to labor.
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25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
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26 All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
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26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
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27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
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27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent!
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28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
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28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.
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29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.
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29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
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30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.
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30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
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31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
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31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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| Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version - Holy Bible) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
