Revised Standard Version RSV
New International Version NIV
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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In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
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A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
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The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
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A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
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The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
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The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
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The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
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When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.
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The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
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Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
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A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
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When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
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Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
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Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
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The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.
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Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20 Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
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The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
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One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
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Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24 "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
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The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to labor.
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The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
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All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
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A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.
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The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.
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There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
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The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.