| New King James Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. | 1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. | 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. | 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. | 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. |
| 8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. | 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
| 9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. |
| 11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. |
| 12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. | 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. |
| 14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. | 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. |
| 15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. | 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. |
| 16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. |
| 17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. |
| 19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. | 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. |
| 20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. | 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. |
| 21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. | 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. | 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. |
| 24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. | 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. |
| 25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. | 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! |
| 28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. |
| 29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. | 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. |
| 30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. |
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