| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. | 2A person may think their own ways are right, 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. |
| 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin. |
| 5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. | 5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. | 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
| 9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. | 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. | 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. | 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. |
| 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. | 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
| 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |
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