New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
1
In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.
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A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
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The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
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A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.
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The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.
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The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
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The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.