Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses. | 1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. |
2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts. | 2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. |
3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. |
4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. | 4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. |
5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. | 5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. |
6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. | 6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. |
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. | 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. |
8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. | 8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. |
9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. | 9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. |
10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. | 10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, 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; he 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. |
13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. | 13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. |
14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. | 14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. |
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. | 15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. |
16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. | 16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. |
17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. | 17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. |
18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. | 18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. |
19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. | 19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. |
20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them. | 20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. |
21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. | 22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. |
23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | 23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. |
24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance. | 24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. |
25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. | 25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. |
26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. | 26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! | 27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. |
28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. | 28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. |
29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way. | 29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. |
30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will 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 comes from the LORD. | 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. |
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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