Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. | 1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. |
2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives. | 2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. |
3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established. | 3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. |
4The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose--even the wicked for the day of disaster. | 4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. |
5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. | 5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished. |
6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. | 6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. |
7When a person's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. | 7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. |
8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. | 8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
9A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps. | 9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. |
10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. | 10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. |
11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his concern. | 11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. |
12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness. | 12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. |
13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly. | 13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. |
14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it. | 14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. |
15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain. | 15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. |
16Get wisdom--how much better it is than gold! And get understanding--it is preferable to silver. | 16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! |
17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life. | 17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. |
18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. | 18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. |
19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud. | 19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. |
20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy. | 20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful. |
21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. | 21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. |
22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. | 22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. |
23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech. | 23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. |
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body. | 24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. | 25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on. | 26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. |
27A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. | 27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. |
28A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. | 28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
29A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a path that is not good. | 29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. |
30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. | 30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. |
31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness. | 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. |
32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's emotions, than capturing a city. | 32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. |
33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. | 33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. |
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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