| New King James Version | NET 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 like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. | 2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. |
| 3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
| 4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product 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 plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. |
| 6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. | 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. | 7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. | 8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. |
| 9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. |
| 11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. | 11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge. |
| 12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. | 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. |
| 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. | 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. |
| 15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. | 15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. |
| 16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. |
| 17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich. |
| 18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright. | 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright. |
| 19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. | 19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. |
| 20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. | 20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. |
| 21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. | 22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. | 23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. |
| 24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. | 24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. |
| 25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. | 25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | 26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! | 27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! |
| 28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. | 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. |
| 29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. | 29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. |
| 30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. | 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD. |
|
