Berean Study Bible | Christian Standard Bible |
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. | 1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses. |
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts. |
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. | 4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. |
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. |
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. | 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. |
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. | 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. |
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. | 8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. |
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. | 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. |
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. |
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. |
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin. |
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. | 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. |
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. | 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. |
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. | 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. |
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. |
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. |
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. | 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. |
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. | 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. |
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. | 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them. |
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. |
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. | 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. |
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. | 24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance. |
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. | 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. |
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. | 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. |
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! | 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! |
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. |
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. | 29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way. |
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. | 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. |
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. |
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