| Holman Christian Standard Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses. | 1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. |
| 2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. | 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. | 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. | 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. |
| 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. | 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. |
| 8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. | 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
| 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. | 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. | 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. |
| 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. | 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. |
| 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. | 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. |
| 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. | 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. |
| 16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. | 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. |
| 17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. | 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. |
| 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. | 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. |
| 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. | 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. |
| 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. | 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. | 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. | 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. |
| 24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. | 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. |
| 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. | 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. | 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. |
| 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! |
| 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. |
| 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. | 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. |
| 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. |
| 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. |
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