| Bible in Basic English (BBE) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
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1 To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
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2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
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2 All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
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3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
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3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
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4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
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4 The LORD works out everything for his own ends-- even the wicked for a day of disaster.
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5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
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5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
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6 By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
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6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
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7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
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7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
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8 Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
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8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
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9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
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9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
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10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
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10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth should not betray justice.
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11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
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11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
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12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
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12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
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13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
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13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
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14 The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
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14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it.
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15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
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15 When a king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
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16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
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16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!
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17 The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
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17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life.
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18 Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
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18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
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19 Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
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19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
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20 He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
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20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
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21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
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21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
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22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
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22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.
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23 The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
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23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
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24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
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24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
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25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
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26 The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
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26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
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27 A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
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27 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
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28 A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
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28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
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29 A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
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29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
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30 He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
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30 He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
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31 The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
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31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.
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32 He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
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32 Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
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33 A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
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33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
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| The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain. (The Bible in Basic English Version Online) |
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) |
