Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 The plans of the mind belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
1
The plans of the heart belong to humans, but an answer on the tongue comes from the LORD.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.
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A person thinks all his ways are pure, but the LORD weighs motives.
3 Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
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Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
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 own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble.
5 Every one who is arrogant is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.
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Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the LORD. Certainly, [such a person] will not go unpunished.
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.
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By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the LORD. By the fear of the LORD, evil is avoided.
7 When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
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When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.
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Better a few [possessions] gained honestly than many gained through injustice.
9 A man's mind plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.
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A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
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When a divine revelation is on a king's lips, he cannot voice a wrong judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.
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Honest balances and scales belong to the LORD. He made the entire set of weights.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.
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Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
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Kings are happy with honest words, and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death, and a wise man will appease it.
14
A king's anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him.
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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When the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.
16 To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
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How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
17 The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.
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The highway of decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
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Pride precedes a disaster, and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall.
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.
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Better to be humble with lowly people than to share stolen goods with arrogant people.
20 He who gives heed to the word will prosper, and happy is he who trusts in the LORD.
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Whoever gives attention to the LORD's word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the LORD.
21 The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
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The person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it, but folly is the chastisement of fools.
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Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.
23 The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
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A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
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Pleasant words are [like] honey from a honeycomb-- sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.
25 There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
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There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.
26 A worker's appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on.
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A laborer's appetite works to his advantage, because his hunger drives him on.
27 A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
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A worthless person plots trouble, and his speech is like a burning fire.
28 A perverse man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
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A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends.
29 A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
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A violent person misleads his neighbor and leads him on a path that is not good.
30 He who winks his eyes plans perverse things, he who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
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Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.
31 A hoary head is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
31
Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
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Better to get angry slowly than to be a hero. Better to be even-tempered than to capture a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly from the LORD.
33
The dice are thrown, but the LORD determines every outcome.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.