Young's Literal Translation YLT
New International Version NIV
1 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
1
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, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
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A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
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The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
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A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
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The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright [is] his work.
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The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
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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 hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
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The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth 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 One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
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The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
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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 pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
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A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
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When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
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Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
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Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
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The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
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Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
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The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
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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 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
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Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
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The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
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The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
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All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
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A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.
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The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
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There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
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The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.
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.