1 T he king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.

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

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

3 T o do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

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

Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

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

The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

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

The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

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

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

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

The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

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

It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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

The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

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

When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 T he righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.

The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

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

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

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

A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

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

The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

16 T he man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

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

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

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

It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

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

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

21 H e that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

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

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

23 W hoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

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

“Proud,” “Haughty,” “ Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

25 T he desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.

The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

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

All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

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

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

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

A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

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

A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

30 T here is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.

There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord.

31 T he horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.