Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 The preparation of the heart in man, and 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 clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weigheth his spirit.
2
A person thinks all his ways are pure, but the LORD weighs motives.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
3
Entrust your efforts to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD hath made all things for Himself, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
4
The LORD has made everything for his own purpose, even wicked people for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; though they join hands, they shall not go unpunished.
5
Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the LORD. Certainly, [such a person] will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged, and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
6
By mercy and faithfulness, peace is made with the LORD. By the fear of the LORD, evil is avoided.
7 When man's ways please the LORD, He maketh 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 without righteousness.
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Better a few [possessions] gained honestly than many gained through injustice.
9 A man's heart deviseth his way, but the LORD directeth his steps.
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A person may plan his own journey, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; his mouth transgresseth not 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 weight and balance are the LORD'S; all the weights of 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 for kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
12
Wrongdoing is disgusting to kings because a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh right.
13
Kings are happy with honest words, and whoever speaks what is right is loved.
14 The wrath of a king is as a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
14
A king's anger announces death, but a wise man makes peace with him.
15 In the light of the king's countenance there is life, and his favor is as a cloud of latter rain.
15
When the king is cheerful, there is life, and his favor is like a cloud bringing spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is rather to be chosen 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 is to depart from evil; he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
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The highway of decent people turns away from evil. Whoever watches his way preserves his own life.
18 Pride goeth 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 Better it is to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, 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 that handleth a matter wisely shall find good, and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
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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 in heart shall be called prudent, and sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
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The person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
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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 heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning 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 as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and health to the bones.
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Pleasant words are [like] honey from a honeycomb-- sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.
25 There are ways which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
25
There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it ends in death.
26 He that laboreth, laboreth for himself, for his mouth craveth it of him.
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A laborer's appetite works to his advantage, because his hunger drives him on.
27 A froward man diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is a burning fire.
27
A worthless person plots trouble, and his speech is like a burning fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife, and a whisperer separateth closest friends.
28
A devious person spreads quarrels. A gossip separates the closest of friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbor and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
29
A violent person misleads his neighbor and leads him on a path that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things; moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
30
Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.
31
Silver hair is a beautiful crown found in a righteous life.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
32
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 whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
33
The dice are thrown, but the LORD determines every outcome.
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. 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.