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 heart of the king is like rivers of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it where He wishes.

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

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord knows the hearts.

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

To do what is right and good and fair is more pleasing to the Lord than gifts given on the altar in worship.

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

Eyes lifted high and a proud heart is sin and is the lamp of the sinful.

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

The plans of those who do their best lead only to having all they need, but all who are in a hurry come only to want.

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

Getting riches by a lying tongue is like a passing cloud, and leads to death.

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

The way the sinful hurt others will draw them away, because they will not do what is right and fair.

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 a guilty man is sinful, but the actions of the pure man are 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 live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.

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 sinful has a desire for what is bad. His neighbor finds 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 man who laughs at the truth is punished, the fool becomes wise. When a wise man is taught, he gets much learning.

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

The One Who is right and good thinks about the house of the sinful, and the sinful are thrown down to be destroyed.

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

He who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.

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

A gift in secret quiets anger. A gift from the heart quiets strong anger.

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.

When what is right and fair is done, it is a joy for those who are right with God. But it fills the sinful with fear.

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

A man who goes away from the way of understanding will rest in the gathering 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 who loves only fun will become a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

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

The sinful man is the price given for the man who is right with God, the man who is not faithful for the faithful man.

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

It is better to live in a desert land than with a woman who argues and causes trouble.

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 are riches and oil of great worth in the house of the wise, but a foolish man swallows them 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 who follows what is right and loving and kind finds life, right-standing with God 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 goes over the city walls of the powerful, and brings down the strong-place in which they trust.

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

He who watches over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

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

“Proud,” “Self-important” and “One who laughs at the truth” are the names of the man who acts without respect and is proud.

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

The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands will not work.

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

He is filled with desire all day long, but the man who is right with God gives all he can.

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

The gift given on an altar in worship by the sinful is a hated thing. How much more when he brings it for the wrong reason!

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

A person who tells a lie about someone else will be lost, but the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

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

A sinful man’s face shows he is pretending, but a good man is sure of himself.

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

There is no wisdom and no understanding and no words that can stand against the Lord.

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

The horse is made ready for war, but winning the fight belongs to the Lord.