New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

1The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.

2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs motives.

3Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.

3Commit your activities to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

4The LORD has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

4The LORD has prepared everything for his purpose--even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6In mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil.

6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness, and one turns from evil by the fear of the LORD.

7When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

7When a person's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.

8Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice.

9A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

9A person's heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.

10Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

10God's verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11Honest weights and scales are the LORD’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.

11Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his concern.

12It is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, since a throne is established through righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

13Righteous lips are a king's delight, and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14As messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

14A king's fury is a messenger of death, but a wise person appeases it.

15In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

15When a king's face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

16Get wisdom--how much better it is than gold! And get understanding--it is preferable to silver.

17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

17The highway of the upright avoids evil; the one who guards his way protects his life.

18Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.

18Pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble than to divide plunder with the proud.

20He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he.

20The one who understands a matter finds success, and the one who trusts in the LORD will be happy.

21The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

22Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

22Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.

24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.

25There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

25There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.

26The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

26A worker's appetite works for him because his hunger urges him on.

27An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

27A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

28A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

29A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.

29A violent person lures his neighbor, leading him on a path that is not good.

30He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

31The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.

31Gray hair is a glorious crown; it is found in the ways of righteousness.

32He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

32Patience is better than power, and controlling one's emotions, than capturing a city.

33The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.

33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.