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 in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; 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 way of a man 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 more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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

A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are 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 plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, 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.

Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

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

The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do 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 perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

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

Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, 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 simple is made 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 God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

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

Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

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

A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

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

It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come 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 be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

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

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

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

Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

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

There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

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

He who follows righteousness and mercy 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 trusted stronghold.

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

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

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

A proud and haughty man — “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

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

The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

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

He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

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 wicked intent!

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

A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

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

A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

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

There is no wisdom or understanding Or 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 deliverance is of the Lord.