Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
1
The king's heart is like streams of water. Both are under the LORD's control. He turns them in any direction he chooses.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
2
A person thinks everything he does is right, but the LORD weighs hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
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Doing what is right and fair is more acceptable to the LORD than offering a sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
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A conceited look and an arrogant attitude, which are the lamps of wicked people, are sins.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
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The plans of a hard-working person lead to prosperity, but everyone who is [always] in a hurry ends up in poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
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Those who gather wealth by lying are wasting time. They are looking for 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 wicked people will drag them away since they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
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The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the behavior of those who are pure is moral.
9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
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Better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a home with a quarreling woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
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The mind of a wicked person desires evil and has no consideration for his neighbor.
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
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When a mocker is punished, a gullible person becomes wise, and when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.
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A righteous person wisely considers the house of a wicked person. He throws wicked people into disasters.
13 He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
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Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
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A gift [given] in secret calms anger, and a secret bribe calms great fury.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
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When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted, but troublemakers are terrified.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
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A person who wanders from the way of wise behavior 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.
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Whoever loves pleasure will become poor. Whoever loves wine and expensive food will not become rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
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Wicked people become a ransom for righteous people, and treacherous people will take the place of decent people.
19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.
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Better to live in a desert than with a quarreling and angry woman.
20 Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
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Costly treasure and wealth are in the home of a wise person, but a fool devours them.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
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Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
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A wise man attacks a city of warriors and pulls down the strong defenses in which they trust.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
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Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
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An arrogant, conceited person is called a mocker. His arrogance knows no limits.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to labor.
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The desire of a lazy person will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
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All day long he feels greedy, but a righteous person gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
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The sacrifice of wicked people is disgusting, especially if they bring it with evil intent.
28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
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A lying witness will die, but a person who listens to advice will continue to speak.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.
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A wicked person puts up a bold front, but a decent person's way of life is his own security.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.
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No wisdom, no understanding, and no 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.
31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.