Common English Bible CEB
English Standard Version ESV
1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; he directs it wherever he wants.
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The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
2 Everyone's path is straight in their own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
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Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 Acting with righteousness and justice is more valued by the LORD than sacrifice.
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To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent end up in profit, but those who hurry end up with loss.
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The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6 Those who gain treasure with lies are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
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The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to act with justice.
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The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The ways of some people are twisted and strange, but the behavior of those who do right is pure.
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The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.
9 Better to live on the edge of a roof than with a contentious woman in a large house.
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It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 Wicked people desire evil; their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
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The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom; when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.
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When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous one observes the house of the wicked, turning the wicked toward trouble.
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The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 Those who close their ears to the cries of the poor will themselves call out but receive no answer.
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Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
14 A secret gift calms anger, and a hidden bribe removes furious wrath.
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A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.
15 Acting justly is a joy to the righteous, but dreaded by those who do evil.
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When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16 People who wander from the path of insight will rest in the company of the dead.
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One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Those who love pleasure end up poor; lovers of wine and oil won't get rich.
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Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous will be punished in the place of the virtuous.
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The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.
19 Better to live in a wilderness than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.
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It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 Precious treasure and oil stay in the home of the wise, but fools swallow them up.
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Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
21 Those who pursue righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise person fought a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they felt safe.
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A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble.
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Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 Incredibly proud—mockers are their name! Their conduct involves excessive pride.
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“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desires of the lazy will kill them, because their hands refuse to do anything.
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The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 The lazy desire things constantly, but the righteous give without holding back.
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All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The LORD detests the sacrifices of the wicked, especially when brought with devious motives.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28 A lying witness will perish, but one who listens will testify successfully.
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A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 The wicked person appears brash, but the virtuous think about the path ahead.
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A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.
30 No wisdom, understanding, or advice can stand up against the LORD.
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No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord.
31 A horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.
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The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.