Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 To people belong the plans of the heart, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.
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The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of people are pure in their eyes, but the LORD tests the motives.
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All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
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Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
4 The LORD made everything for a purpose, even the wicked for an evil day.
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The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 The LORD detests all who are arrogant; they surely won't go unpunished.
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Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 Love and faithfulness reconcile guilt; the fear of the LORD turns away evil.
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By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When people draw favor from the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.
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When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great profits without justice.
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Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
9 People plan their path, but the LORD secures their steps.
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The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 A king's speech is like an oracle; in a judgment, one can't go against his words.
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An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his doing.
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A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Kings detest wicked deeds, for their thrones are founded on righteousness.
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It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Kings favor those with righteous lips; they love words of integrity.
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Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14 The king's anger is a messenger of death; the wise will calm him.
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A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
15 There's life in the light of the king's face. His favor is like a cloud that brings spring rain.
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In the light of a king’s face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16 Acquiring wisdom is much better than gold, and acquiring understanding is better than silver.
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How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The road of those who do right turns away from evil; those who protect their path guard their lives.
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The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18 Pride comes before disaster, and arrogance before a fall.
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Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be humble with the needy than to divide plunder with the proud.
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It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 Those with insight find prosperity; those who trust the LORD are blessed.
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Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The skilled mind is called discerning, and pleasant speech enhances teaching.
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The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 One who has insight is a fountain of life, but the instruction of the foolish is folly.
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Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech insightful and enhances the teaching of their lips.
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The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are flowing honey, sweet to the taste and healing to the bones.
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Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25 There is a path that may seem straight to someone, but in the end it is the path of death.
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There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
26 The appetite of workers labors for them, for their hunger presses them on.
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A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
27 Worthless people dig up trouble; their lips are like a scorching fire.
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A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 Destructive people produce conflict; gossips alienate close friends.
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A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 Violent people entice their neighbors and walk them down a path that isn't good.
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A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Those who wink their eye plot destruction; those who purse their lips plan evil.
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Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is found on the path of righteousness.
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Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
32 Better to be patient than a warrior, and better to have self-control than to capture a city.
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Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 The dice are cast into the lap; all decisions are from the LORD.
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The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.