New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
1
The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD ; he guides it wherever he pleases.
2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
2
People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
3
The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
4
Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
5
Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
6
Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
7
The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
8
The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
9
It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
10 The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
10
Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
11
If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
12
The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.
13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
13
Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
14
A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
15
Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
16
The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
17
Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
18
The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
19
It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
20
The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
21
Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find 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.
22
The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
23
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
24
Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
25
Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
26
Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
27
The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
28 A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
28
A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
29 The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
29
The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
30
No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD .
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to 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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.