| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right and just 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 unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for 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 is devious, but the conduct 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 a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 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 simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. | 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. | 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never 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 unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. | 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
| 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |
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