New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.

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

2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.

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

3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is 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 certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior 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 the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

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

10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

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 inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, 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; he brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.

14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

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 those who practice iniquity.

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

16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

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

17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

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

19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.

21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.

23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.

25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

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

27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.

30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.

30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will 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 comes from the LORD.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.