King James Bible

Christian Standard Bible

1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

1A king's heart is like channeled 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 pondereth the hearts.

2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

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 pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.