New International Version NIV
Young's Literal Translation YLT
1 In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
1
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
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, And Jehovah is pondering 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 judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
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Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
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The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
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The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
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The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright [is] his work.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
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Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
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The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
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 scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth 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 One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
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Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
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 pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
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To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to 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 is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
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Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
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The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
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Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
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A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
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Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
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 city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
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Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
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Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of 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 slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
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All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
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] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
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A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
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A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth 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, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
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.
Young's Literal Translation is in the public domain.