International Standard Version | New Living Translation |
1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases. | 1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. |
2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart. | 2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. |
3To do what is right 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. |
4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people. | 4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. |
5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor. | 5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. |
6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. | 6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. |
7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag 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 conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright. | 8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. |
9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman. | 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 craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor. | 10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. | 11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. |
12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing 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 refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered. | 13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. |
14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger. | 14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. |
15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity. | 15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. |
16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered. | 16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. |
17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches. | 17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. |
18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. | 18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. |
19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman. | 19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. |
20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them. | 20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. |
21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust. | 22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. |
23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble. | 23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. |
24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit. | 24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. |
25What the lazy person craves will kill 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 continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back. | 26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! |
27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives! | 27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. |
28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully. | 28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. |
29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. | 29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. |
30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD. | 30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. |
31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory. | 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | 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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