| King James Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. | 1The reflections of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. |
| 2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. | 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
| 3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. | 3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be achieved. |
| 4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. | 4The LORD has prepared everything for His purpose-- even the wicked for the day of disaster. |
| 5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. | 5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished. |
| 6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. | 6Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD. |
| 7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. | 7When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. |
| 8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | 8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice. |
| 9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. | 9A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps. |
| 10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. | 10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment. |
| 11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. | 11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are His concern. |
| 12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. | 12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness. |
| 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. | 13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly. |
| 14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. | 14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise man appeases it. |
| 15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. | 15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain. |
| 16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! | 16Get wisdom-- how much better it is than gold! And get understanding-- it is preferable to silver. |
| 17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. | 17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life. |
| 18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. | 18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall. |
| 19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. | 19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud. |
| 20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. | 20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy. |
| 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. | 21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning. |
| 22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. | 22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. |
| 23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. | 23A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech. |
| 24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body. |
| 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. | 25There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. |
| 26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. | 26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on. |
| 27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. | 27A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. |
| 28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. | 28A contrary man spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. |
| 29A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good. | 29A violent man lures his neighbor, leading him in a way that is not good. |
| 30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. | 30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil. |
| 31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. | 31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the way of righteousness. |
| 32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. | 32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's temper, than capturing a city. |
| 33The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD. | 33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. |
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