| Good News Translation (GNT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 We may make our plans, but God has the last word.
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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 You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives.
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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 Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.
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3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
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4 Everything the Lord has made has its destiny; and the destiny of the wicked is destruction.
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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 The Lord hates everyone who is arrogant; he will never let them escape 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 Be loyal and faithful, and God will forgive your sin. Obey the Lord and nothing evil will happen to you.
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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 you please the Lord, you can make your enemies into friends.
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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 It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained.
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8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
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9 You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.
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9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
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10 The king speaks with divine authority; his decisions are always right.
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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 The Lord wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.
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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 Kings cannot tolerate evil, because justice is what makes a government strong.
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12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
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13 A king wants to hear the truth and will favor those who speak it.
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13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value a man who speaks the truth.
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14 A wise person will try to keep the king happy; if the king becomes angry, someone may die.
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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 The king's favor is like the clouds that bring rain in the springtime - life is there.
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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 It is better - much better - to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and 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 Those who are good travel a road that avoids evil; so watch where you are going - it may save your life.
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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 leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.
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18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
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19 It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot.
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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 Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the Lord and you will be 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 A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.
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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 the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time.
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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 Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.
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23 A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
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24 Kind words are like honey - sweet to the taste and good for your health.
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24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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25 What you think is the right road may lead to 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 A laborer's appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger.
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26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on.
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27 Evil people look for ways to harm others; even their words burn with evil.
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27 A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
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28 Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships.
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28 A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
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29 Violent people deceive their friends and lead them to disaster.
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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 Watch out for people who grin and wink at you; they have thought of something evil.
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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 Long life is the reward of the righteous; gray hair is a glorious crown.
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31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.
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32 It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.
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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 People cast lots to learn God's will, but God himself determines the answer.
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33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
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| Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission. (The Good News Translation - The Holy Bible 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) |
