| New King James Version | Holman 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 streams of 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 man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
| 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 man'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 man who strays from the way of wisdom 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 a poor man; 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 foolish man 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 proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. |
| 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 man puts on a bold face, but the upright man 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. |
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