New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 The plans of the mind belong to mortals, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
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The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
2 All one's ways may be pure in one's own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
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All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
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Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
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The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord; be assured, they will not go unpunished.
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Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
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By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
7 When the ways of people please the Lord, he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.
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When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than large income with injustice.
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Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
9 The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps.
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A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
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Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
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True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
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Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves those who speak what is right.
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Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and whoever is wise will appease it.
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The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
15 In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
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In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
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How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their way preserve their lives.
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The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
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Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
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Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper, and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
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He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
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The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it, but folly is the punishment of fools.
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Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
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The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
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Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right, but in the end it is the way to death.
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There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
26 The appetite of workers works for them; their hunger urges them on.
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The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
27 Scoundrels concoct evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.
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A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
28 A perverse person spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
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A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
29 The violent entice their neighbors, and lead them in a way that is not good.
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A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
30 One who winks the eyes plans perverse things; one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
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He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
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The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.
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He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is the Lord's alone.
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A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.