New King James Version | International Standard Version |
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 a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases. |
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. | 2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. | 4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people. |
5The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. | 5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor. |
6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. | 6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. | 7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag 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 conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright. |
9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman. |
10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to 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 fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. |
12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. | 12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin. |
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. | 13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered. |
14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. | 14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger. |
15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. | 15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity. |
16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered. |
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches. |
18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright. | 18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. | 19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman. |
20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. | 20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them. |
21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. | 22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust. |
23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. | 23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble. |
24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. | 24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit. |
25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. | 25What the lazy person craves will kill 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 continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back. |
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! | 27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives! |
28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. | 28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully. |
29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. | 29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. |
30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. | 30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD. |
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. | 31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory. |
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. |
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