New Revised Standard NRS
Common English Bible CEB
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
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The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; he directs it wherever he wants.
2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.
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Everyone's path is straight in their own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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Acting with righteousness and justice is more valued by the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
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Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.
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The plans of the diligent end up in profit, but those who hurry end up with loss.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
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Those who gain treasure with lies are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
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The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to act with justice.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
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The ways of some people are twisted and strange, but the behavior of those who do right is pure.
9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
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Better to live on the edge of a roof than with a contentious woman in a large house.
10 The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.
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Wicked people desire evil; their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.
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When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom; when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.
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The righteous one observes the house of the wicked, turning the wicked toward trouble.
13 If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.
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Those who close their ears to the cries of the poor will themselves call out but receive no answer.
14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
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A secret gift calms anger, and a hidden bribe removes furious wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
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Acting justly is a joy to the righteous, but dreaded by those who do evil.
16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
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People who wander from the path of insight will rest in the company of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
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Those who love pleasure end up poor; lovers of wine and oil won't get rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
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The wicked are a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous will be punished in the place of the virtuous.
19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.
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Better to live in a wilderness than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.
20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.
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Precious treasure and oil stay in the home of the wise, but fools swallow them up.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
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Those who pursue righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.
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A wise person fought a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they felt safe.
23 To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble.
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Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble.
24 The proud, haughty person, named "Scoffer," acts with arrogant pride.
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Incredibly proud—mockers are their name! Their conduct involves excessive pride.
25 The craving of the lazy person is fatal, for lazy hands refuse to labor.
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The desires of the lazy will kill them, because their hands refuse to do anything.
26 All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back.
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The lazy desire things constantly, but the righteous give without holding back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when brought with evil intent.
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The LORD detests the sacrifices of the wicked, especially when brought with devious motives.
28 A false witness will perish, but a good listener will testify successfully.
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A lying witness will perish, but one who listens will testify successfully.
29 The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways.
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The wicked person appears brash, but the virtuous think about the path ahead.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the Lord.
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No wisdom, understanding, or advice can stand up against the LORD.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
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A horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible