Common English Bible CEB
New International Version NIV
1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; he directs it wherever he wants.
1
In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2 Everyone's path is straight in their own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
2
A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 Acting with righteousness and justice is more valued by the LORD than sacrifice.
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent end up in profit, but those who hurry end up with loss.
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The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 Those who gain treasure with lies are like a drifting fog, leading to 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, for they refuse to act with justice.
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The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The ways of some people are twisted and strange, but the behavior of those who do right is pure.
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The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on the edge of a roof than with a contentious woman in a large house.
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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 Wicked people desire evil; their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
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The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
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.