New American Standard Bible 1995

International Standard Version

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

1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.

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

2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.

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

3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.

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

6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.

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

7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.

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

8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.

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

9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.

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

10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.

11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.

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

13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered.

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

14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.

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

15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.

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

16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.

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

17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.

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

18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

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

19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.

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

20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.

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

21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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

22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.

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

23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.

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

24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.

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

25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.

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

26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back.

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

27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!

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

28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully.

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

29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing.

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

30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

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

31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory.

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

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.