New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.
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People make plans in their hearts. But the LORD controls what they say.
2 All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
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Everything a man does might seem right to him. But the LORD knows what that man is thinking.
3 Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
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Commit to the LORD everything you do. Then your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster.
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The LORD works everything out for his own purposes. Even those who do wrong were made for a day of trouble.
5 The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
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The LORD hates all those who have proud hearts. You can be sure that they will be punished.
6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided.
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Through love and truth sin is paid for. People avoid evil when they have respect for the Lord.
7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
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When the way you live pleases the Lord, he makes even your enemies live at peace with you.
8 Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.
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It is better to have a little and do right than to have a lot and be unfair.
9 In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.
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In your heart you plan your life. But the LORD decides where your steps will take you.
10 The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.
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A king might speak as if his words come from God. But what he says should not turn right into wrong.
11 Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making.
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Honest scales and balances come from the Lord. He made all of the weights in the bag.
12 Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness.
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A king hates it when his people do what is wrong. A ruler is made secure when they do what is right.
13 Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right.
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Kings are pleased when what you say is honest. They value people who speak the truth.
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it.
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An angry king can order your death. But a wise man will try to calm him down.
15 When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
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When a king's face is happy, it means life. His favor is like rain in the spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
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It is much better to get wisdom than gold. It is much better to choose understanding than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
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The path of honest people takes them away from evil. Those who guard their ways guard their lives.
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
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If you are proud, you will be destroyed. If you are proud, you will fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.
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Suppose you are lowly in spirit and are with those who are beaten down. That's better than sharing stolen goods with those who are proud.
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.
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If anyone pays attention to what he is taught, he will succeed. Blessed is the person who puts his trust in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
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Wise hearts are known for understanding what is right. Pleasant words make people want to learn more.
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools.
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Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it. But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.
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The hearts of wise people guide their mouths. Their words make people want to learn more.
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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Pleasant words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.
25 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
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There is a way that may seem right to a man. But in the end it leads to death.
26 The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on.
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The hunger of a worker makes him work. His hunger drives him on.
27 A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
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A worthless man plans to do evil things. His words are like a burning fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
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A twisted person stirs up fights. Anyone who talks about others comes between close friends.
29 A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.
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A man who wants to hurt others tries to get them to sin. He leads them down a path that isn't good.
30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.
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When he winks with his eyes, he is planning to do wrong. When his lips are tightly closed, he is up to no good.
31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.
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Gray hair is a glorious crown. You get it by living the right way.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
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It is better to be patient than to fight. It is better to control your temper than to take a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
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Lots are cast into the lap to make decisions. But everything they decide comes from the Lord.
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.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.