New King James Version

King James Bible

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.