The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New King James Version NKJV
1 A person is responsible to prepare his heart, but how the tongue speaks is from ADONAI.
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The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All a man's ways are pure in his own view, but ADONAI weighs the spirit.
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All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.
3 If you entrust all you do to ADONAI, your plans will achieve success.
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Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.
4 ADONAI made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of disaster.
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The Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.
5 ADONAI detests all those with proud hearts; be assured that they will not go unpunished.
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Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
6 Grace and truth atone for iniquity, and people turn from evil through fear of ADONAI.
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In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.
7 When a man's ways please ADONAI, he makes even the man's enemies be at peace with him.
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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 a huge income with injustice.
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Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
9 A person may plan his path, but ADONAI directs his steps.
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A man's heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
10 Divine inspiration is on the lips of the king, so his mouth must be faithful when he judges.
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Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
11 The balance and scales of justice have their origin in ADONAI; all the weights in the bag are his doing.
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Honest weights and scales are the Lord's; All the weights in the bag are His work.
12 It is an abomination for a king to do evil, for the throne is made secure by righteousness.
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It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.
13 The king should delight in righteous lips, and he should love someone who speaks what is right.
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Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.
14 The king's anger is a herald of death, and one who is wise will appease it.
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As messengers of death is the king's wrath, But a wise man will appease it.
15 When the king's face brightens, it means life; his favor is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
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In the light of the king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better than gold it is to gain wisdom! Yes, rather than money, choose to gain understanding.
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How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 Avoiding evil is the highway of the upright; he who watches his step preserves his life.
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The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and arrogance before failure.
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Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be humble among the poor than share the spoil with the proud.
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Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He who has skill in a matter will succeed; he who trusts in ADONAI will be happy.
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He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
21 A wise-hearted person is said to have discernment, and sweetness of speech adds to learning.
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The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
22 Common sense is a fountain of life to one who has it, whereas fools are punished by their own folly.
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Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.
23 The wise man's heart teaches his mouth, and to his lips it adds learning.
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The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and healing for the body.
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Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There can be a way which seems right to a person, but at its end are the ways of death.
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There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
26 A working man's appetite acts on his behalf, because his hunger presses him on.
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The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.
27 A worthless person digs up evil [gossip] it is like scorching fire on his lips.
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An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
28 A deceitful person stirs up strife, and a slanderer can separate even close friends.
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A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
29 A violent man lures his neighbor astray and leads him into evil ways.
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A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
30 One who winks knowingly is planning deceit; one who pinches his lips together has already done wrong.
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He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.
31 White hair is a crown of honor obtained by righteous living.
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The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.
32 He who controls his temper is better than a war hero, he who rules his spirit better than he who captures a city.
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He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33 One can cast lots into one's lap, but the decision comes from ADONAI.
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The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.