New International Version NIV
New King James Version NKJV
1 In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
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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 A person may think their own ways are right, 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 hearts.
3 To do what is right and just 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 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce 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 to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
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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 made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
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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 drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
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The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome 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 crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
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The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get 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 takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
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The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and 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 gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
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A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to 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 Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes 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 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be 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 become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
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The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
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Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
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There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
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He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
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A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
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Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
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A proud and haughty man--"Scoffer" is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of 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 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
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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 detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
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A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
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A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
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There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.