| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. | 1To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue. |
| 2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. | 2All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD. |
| 3Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. | 3Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. |
| 4The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. | 4The LORD works out everything to its proper end-- even the wicked for a 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. | 5The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. |
| 6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. | 6Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD evil is avoided. |
| 7When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. | 7When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone's way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. |
| 8Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right. | 8Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. |
| 9A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. | 9In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. |
| 10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. | 10The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice. |
| 11A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. | 11Honest scales and balances belong to the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making. |
| 12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. | 12Kings detest wrongdoing, for a throne is established through righteousness. |
| 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right. | 13Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks what is right. |
| 14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it. | 14A king's wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease 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 brightens, it means life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring. |
| 16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! | 16How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than 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; those who guard their ways preserve their lives. |
| 18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. | 18Pride goes before destruction, a haughty 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 in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. |
| 20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. | 20Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. |
| 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. | 21The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. |
| 22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. | 22Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. |
| 23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. | 23The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. |
| 24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. | 24Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. |
| 25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. | 25There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. |
| 26He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him. | 26The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. |
| 27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. | 27A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. |
| 28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends. | 28A perverse person stirs up 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 person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. |
| 30He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. | 30Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. |
| 31The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. | 31Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained 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. | 32Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes 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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