| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. | 1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. |
| 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. | 4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. | 5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. |
| 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. | 6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. |
| 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 do what is just. |
| 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. | 8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. |
| 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. | 9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. |
| 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10Evil people desire 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. | 11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. |
| 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. | 12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them. |
| 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. | 13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. |
| 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. | 14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. |
| 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. | 15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. |
| 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. |
| 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. | 17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. | 18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. |
| 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. | 19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. |
| 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. | 20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. |
| 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing 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. | 22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. |
| 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. | 23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. |
| 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. | 24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. |
| 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. | 25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. | 26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! | 27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. |
| 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. | 28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. |
| 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. | 29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. |
| 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. | 30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. |
| 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. | 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. |
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