The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
King James Version KJV
1 The king's heart in ADONAI's hand is like streams of water -he directs it wherever he pleases.
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The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 All a person's ways are right in his own view, but ADONAI weighs the heart.
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Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more pleasing to ADONAI than sacrifice.
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To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty looks, a proud heart -what the wicked plow is sin.
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An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance; but all who rush in arrive only at want.
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The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
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The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to act justly.
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The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 A criminal's conduct is crooked, but the work of the pure is right.
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The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife.
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It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The wicked is set on evil; he doesn't pity even his neighbor.
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The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When a scorner is punished, the simple become wiser; and when the wise is instructed, he takes hold of knowledge.
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When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
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The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever stops up his ears at the cry of the poor will himself cry, but not be answered.
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Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A secret gift allays anger, and a bribe under the cloak the strongest fury.
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A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 Acting justly is a joy for the righteous but it terrifies evildoers.
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It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The person who strays from the way of common sense will come to rest in the company of the dead.
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The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 Pleasure-lovers will suffer want; he who loves wine and oil won't get rich.
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He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous, and likewise the perfidious for the upright.
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The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a nagging, irritable wife.
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It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 In the home of the wise are fine treasures and oil, but a fool quickly devours it.
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There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness finds life, prosperity and honor.
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He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man can go up into a city of warriors and undermine the strength in which it trusts.
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A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
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Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 "Scoffer" is what you call a proud, insolent person who acts with overweening conceit.
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Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 A lazy man's craving will kill him, because his hands refuse to work -
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The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 he covets greedily all day long; but a righteous person gives without holding back.
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He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with vile motives.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A lying witness is doomed, but one who heard [what was said] will testify successfully.
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A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, whereas the upright prepares his ways.
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A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 No wisdom, discernment or counsel succeeds against ADONAI.
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There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 A horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from ADONAI.
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The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The King James Version is in the public domain.