NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.

1The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

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

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

3Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

3Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established.

4The LORD works everything for its own ends--even the wicked for the day of disaster.

4The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished.

5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil.

6By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the LORD one keeps away from evil.

7When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself.

7When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice.

8Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

9A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

9The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

10The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.

10A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork.

11A just balance and scales belong to the LORD; All the weights of the bag are His concern.

12Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness.

12It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.

13The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

14A king's wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

14The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

15In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain.

15In the light of a king's face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

17The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

19It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud.

19It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

20He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.

21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.

23A wise person's heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words.

23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death.

25There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

26A laborer's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work.

26A worker's appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

27A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire.

27A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.

28A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends.

28A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

29A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.

30The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

30He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness.

31A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

32Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.

32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

33The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the LORD.

33The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

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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