King James Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

1The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

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

3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.

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

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, 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 lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

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

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

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

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

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

9It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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

10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

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

11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives 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, Turning the wicked to ruin.

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

13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

14A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

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

15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

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

16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

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

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

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

19It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

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

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.

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

21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

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

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

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

23He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

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

24"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

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

25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

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

26All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

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

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

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

28A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

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

29A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

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

30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.

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

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org