1 T he king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 E very way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

3 T o do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

4 H aughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp to them, are sin.

A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5 T he thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.

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

6 S ecuring treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.

7 T he violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.

The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.

8 T he way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right and his conduct is straight.

The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 I t is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.

It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

10 T he soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.

11 W hen the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed.

When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 T he righteous man considers well the house of the wicked—how the wicked are cast down to ruin.

The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.

13 W hoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.

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

14 A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

15 W hen justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.

It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

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

18 T he wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous for the upright.

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.

19 I t is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.

It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20 T here are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21 H e who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor.

He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 H e who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.

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

24 T he proud and haughty man—Scoffer is his name—deals and acts with overbearing pride.

The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.

25 T he desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.

26 H e covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.

There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

27 T he sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent —how much more when he brings it with evil intention?

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!

28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.

A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.

29 A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face, but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way.

A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.

30 T here is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.

There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.

31 T he horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.