| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. | 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right 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. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce 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 to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. | 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct 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 a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 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 simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. | 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and 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. | 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
| 28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |
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