New Living Translation | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. | 1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses. |
2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. | 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. | 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. | 4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. |
5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. |
6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. | 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. |
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. | 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. |
8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. | 8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. |
9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. | 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. |
10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. | 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. |
11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. | 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. |
12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin. |
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. | 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. |
14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. | 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. |
15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. | 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. |
16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. | 16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. |
17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. |
18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. | 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. |
19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. | 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. |
20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. | 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. |
21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. |
22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. | 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. |
23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. | 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. |
24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. | 24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. |
25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. | 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. |
26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! | 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. |
27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. | 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! |
28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. |
29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. | 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. |
30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand 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 the victory belongs to the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. |
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. |
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