New American Standard Bible NAS
New International Version NIV
1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD ; He turns it wherever He wishes.
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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 man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the 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 justice Is desired by the LORD more 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, is 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 advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
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The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit 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 drag them away, Because 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 way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
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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 a roof 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 favor in his eyes.
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The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives 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 considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked 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 shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be 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 subdues 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 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the 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 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 become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become 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 treacherous is in the place of 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 vexing woman.
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Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.
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The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21 He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness 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 guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
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Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24 "Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.
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The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse 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 day long he is craving, While 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 man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
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A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
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The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel 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 prepared for the day of battle, But 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.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. 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.