Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. | 1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. |
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. |
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. |
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. | 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. |
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. | 7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. |
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. | 8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. |
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. | 9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. |
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. |
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. | 11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains 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 overthrows the wicked to their 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, he too will cry out and will not be answered. |
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. | 14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. |
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. | 15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. |
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. |
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich. |
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright. |
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. | 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. |
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. | 20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. |
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. |
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. |
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. | 23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. |
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. | 24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. |
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. | 25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. |
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. | 26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. |
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! | 27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! |
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. |
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. | 29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. |
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel 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 the victory is from the LORD. |
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