New American Standard Bible 1995

NET Bible

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

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

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

2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.

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

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

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

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.

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

5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

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

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.

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

7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right.

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

8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.

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

9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.

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

10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.

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

11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

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

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

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

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.

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

14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.

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

15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.

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

16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed.

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

17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.

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

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.

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

19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.

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

20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.

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

21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor.

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

22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.

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

23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.

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

24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride.

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

25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.

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

26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

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

27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

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

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.

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

29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.

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

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

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

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD.

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

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