Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 The Lord controls the mind of a king as easily as he directs the course of a stream.
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The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 You may think that everything you do is right, but remember that the Lord judges your motives.
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Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3 Do what is right and fair; that pleases the Lord more than bringing him sacrifices.
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To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful.
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A high look, and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.
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The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; And everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.
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Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The wicked are doomed by their own violence; they refuse to do what is right.
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The violence of the wicked will drive them away, Because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Guilty people walk a crooked path; the innocent do what is right.
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The way of the guilty is devious, But the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
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It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 Wicked people are always hungry for evil; they have no mercy on anyone.
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The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When someone who is conceited gets his punishment, even an unthinking person learns a lesson. One who is wise will learn from what he is taught.
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When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom; When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 God, the righteous one, knows what goes on in the homes of the wicked, and he will bring the wicked down to ruin.
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The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, And brings the wicked to ruin.
13 If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.
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Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, He will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 If someone is angry with you, a gift given secretly will calm him down.
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A gift in secret pacifies anger; And a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are brought to despair.
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It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 Death is waiting for anyone who wanders away from good sense.
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The man who wanders out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Indulging in luxuries, wine, and rich food will never make you wealthy.
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He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man: He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked bring on themselves the suffering they try to cause good people.
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The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; The treacherous for the upright.
19 Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife.
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It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.
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There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.
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He who follows after righteousness and kindness Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A shrewd general can take a city defended by strong men, and destroy the walls they relied on.
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A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say.
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Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Show me a conceited person and I will show you someone who is arrogant, proud, and inconsiderate.
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The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; He works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Lazy people who refuse to work are only killing themselves;
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The desire of the sluggard kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
26 all they do is think about what they would like to have. The righteous, however, can give, and give generously.
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There are those who covet greedily all the day long; But the righteous gives and doesn't withhold.
27 The Lord hates it when wicked people offer him sacrifices, especially if they do it from evil motives.
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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 The testimony of a liar is not believed, but the word of someone who thinks matters through is accepted.
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A false witness will perish, And a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 Righteous people are sure of themselves; the wicked have to pretend as best they can.
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A wicked man hardens his face; But as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 Human wisdom, brilliance, insight - they are of no help if the Lord is against you.
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There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Yahweh.
31 You can get horses ready for battle, but it is the Lord who gives victory.
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The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is with Yahweh.