| New King James Version | New International Version |
| 1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. | 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. |
| 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. | 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. |
| 4A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. | 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce 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 to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
| 6Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. | 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
| 7The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. | 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for 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 is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
| 9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. | 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
| 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. | 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. |
| 11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. | 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. |
| 12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. | 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
| 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. | 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. |
| 14A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. | 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
| 15It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. | 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
| 16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. | 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
| 17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. | 17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never 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 unfaithful for the upright. |
| 19Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. | 19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. |
| 20There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. | 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. |
| 21He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. | 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
| 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. | 22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. |
| 23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. | 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. |
| 24A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. | 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury. |
| 25The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. | 25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
| 26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. | 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
| 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! | 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
| 28A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. | 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. |
| 29A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. | 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. |
| 30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. | 30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
| 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. | 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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