| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. | 1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. | 4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. |
| 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. | 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. |
| 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 act justly. |
| 8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. | 8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. |
| 9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. | 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. | 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. |
| 11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. | 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. | 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. |
| 15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. | 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. |
| 16One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. |
| 17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. |
| 18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. | 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. |
| 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. | 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. |
| 20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. | 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. |
| 21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. |
| 23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. |
| 24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. |
| 25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. | 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. | 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. | 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! |
| 28A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. |
| 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. | 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. |
| 30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. | 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. |
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