The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New King James Version NKJV
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, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
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 weighs the hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more pleasing to ADONAI than sacrifice.
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To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty looks, a proud heart -what the wicked plow is sin.
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A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are 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 plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
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Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to act justly.
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The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 A criminal's conduct is crooked, but the work of the pure is right.
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The way of a guilty man is perverse; 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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Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The wicked is set on evil; he doesn't pity even his neighbor.
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The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
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The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing 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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Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and 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 pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 Acting justly is a joy for the righteous but it terrifies evildoers.
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It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come 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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A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Pleasure-lovers will suffer want; he who loves wine and oil won't get rich.
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He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will 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 unfaithful for the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a nagging, irritable wife.
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Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and 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 desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness finds life, prosperity and honor.
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He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.
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 scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
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Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 "Scoffer" is what you call a proud, insolent person who acts with overweening conceit.
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A proud and haughty man--"Scoffer" is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
25 A lazy man's craving will kill him, because his hands refuse to work -
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The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
26 he covets greedily all day long; but a righteous person gives without holding back.
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He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.
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 an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
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 who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, whereas the upright prepares his ways.
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A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30 No wisdom, discernment or counsel succeeds against ADONAI.
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There is no wisdom or understanding Or 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 for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.