NET Bible | New Living Translation |
1The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD. | 1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. |
2All a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. | 2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. |
3Commit your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established. | 3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. |
4The LORD works everything for its own ends--even the wicked for the day of disaster. | 4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster. |
5The LORD abhors every arrogant person; rest assured that they will not go unpunished. | 5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished. |
6Through loyal love and truth iniquity is appeased; through fearing the LORD one avoids evil. | 6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil. |
7When a person's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he even reconciles his enemies to himself. | 7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them. |
8Better to have a little with righteousness than to have abundant income without justice. | 8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest. |
9A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps. | 9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. |
10The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice. | 10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly. |
11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are his handiwork. | 11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness. |
12Doing wickedness is an abomination to kings, because a throne is established in righteousness. | 12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice. |
13The delight of kings is righteous counsel, and they love the one who speaks uprightly. | 13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly. |
14A king's wrath is like a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it. | 14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it. |
15In the light of the king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds of the spring rain. | 15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain. |
16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver. | 16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver! |
17The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; the one who guards his way safeguards his life. | 17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe. |
18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. | 18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall. |
19It is better to be lowly in spirit with the afflicted than to share the spoils with the proud. | 19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud. |
20The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. | 20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful. |
21The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness. | 21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. |
22Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools. | 22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. |
23A wise person's heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. | 23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. |
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. | 24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. |
25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way that leads to death. | 25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. |
26A laborer's appetite works on his behalf, for his hunger urges him to work. | 26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. |
27A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire. | 27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. |
28A perverse person spreads dissension, and a gossip separates the closest friends. | 28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. |
29A violent person entices his neighbor, and leads him down a path that is terrible. | 29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. |
30The one who winks his eyes devises perverse things, and one who compresses his lips brings about evil. | 30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. |
31Gray hair is like a crown of glory; it is attained in the path of righteousness. | 31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. |
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. | 32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. |
33The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the LORD. | 33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. |
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