Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New Living Translation NLT
1 It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
1
We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.
2 All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
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People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
3 Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
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Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
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The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5 Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice: and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
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The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed; and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
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Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.
7 When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
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When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.
8 Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
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Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.
9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
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We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
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The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.
11 Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
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The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.
12 They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
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A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.
13 Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
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The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
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The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.
15 In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
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When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
16 Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
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How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
17 The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
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The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
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Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
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Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
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Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words, shall attain to greater things.
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The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.
22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
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Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
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From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
24 Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
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There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
26 The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
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It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
27 The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
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Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.
28 A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
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A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
29 An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
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Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
30 He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth evil to pass.
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With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.
31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
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Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh cities.
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Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.
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We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
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