King James Bible

New Living Translation

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 a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.

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

2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.

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

3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

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

4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

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

5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

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

6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

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 do what is just.

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

8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

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

9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

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

10Evil people desire 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.

11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

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

12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

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

13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

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

14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

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

15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

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

16The person who strays from common sense will end up 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.

17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

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

18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.

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

19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

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

20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

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

21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing 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.

22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

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

23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

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

24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

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

25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

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

26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

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

27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

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

28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

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

29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.

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

30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand 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 the victory belongs to the LORD.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.