1 T he king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is brooks of water: 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 exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

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

4 L ofty eyes, and a proud heart, 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 only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, 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 fleeting breath of them that seek death.

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

7 T he devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

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

8 V ery crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.

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 a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.

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 neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

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

11 W hen the scorner is punished, the simple becometh 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 O ne that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to 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 himself shall cry, and 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, vehement fury.

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

15 I t is joy to a righteous to do what is right; but it is ruin for 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 wisdom shall abide in the congregation 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 mirth 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 a treacherous 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 irritable woman.

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

20 T here is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a 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 mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

22 A wise scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth 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 P roud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.

“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 work:

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

26 H e coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

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

27 T he sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!

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

28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.

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 way.

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 for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.

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