New King James Version

New Living Translation

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

1We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer.

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

2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.

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

3Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.

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

4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

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

5The LORD detests the proud; they will surely be punished.

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

6Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.

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

7When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.

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

8Better to have little, with godliness, than to be rich and dishonest.

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

9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.

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

10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.

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

11The LORD demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

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

12A king detests wrongdoing, for his rule is built on justice.

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

13The king is pleased with words from righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.

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

14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise will try to appease it.

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

15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a spring rain.

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

16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!

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

17The path of the virtuous leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.

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

18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.

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

19Better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.

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

20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be joyful.

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

21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

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

22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.

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

23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

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

24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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

25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

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

26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.

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

27Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

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

28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

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

29Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.

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

30With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

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

31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.

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

32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

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

33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

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

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.