King James Version KJV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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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 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
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All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
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To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
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The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
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The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
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The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
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The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
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It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
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The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
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When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
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The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
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If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
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A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
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When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
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Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
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Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
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The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
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It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
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Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
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One wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
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To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
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The proud, haughty person, named "Scoffer," acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
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The craving of the lazy person is fatal, for lazy hands refuse to labor.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
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All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when brought with evil intent.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
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A false witness will perish, but a good listener will testify successfully.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
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The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
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No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
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The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.