New King James Version NKJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
1
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 weighs the hearts.
2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
3
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
4
Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
5
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
6
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.
7
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.
8
The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
9
It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
10
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
11
When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
12
The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.
13
He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
14
A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
15
When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
16
A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
17
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.
18
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.
19
It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.
20
Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.
21
He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
22
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
23
He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 A proud and haughty man--"Scoffer" is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
24
"Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
25
The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.
26
All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
27
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
28
A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
29
A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.
30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.
30
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.
31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the 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.