1 T he king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

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 Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

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

3 T o exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah 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 L ofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

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

5 T he thoughts of the diligent only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, 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 T he getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.

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

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

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

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 sinful, but the actions of the pure man are right.

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 an arguing woman.

10 T he soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour 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 scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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 O ne that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked 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 hoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall 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 pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.

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

15 I t is joy to a righteous to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.

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 T he man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.

A man who goes away from the way of understanding will rest in the gathering 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 only fun 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 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 and irritable woman.

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

20 T here is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

There are riches and oil of great worth in the house of the wise, but a foolish man swallows them up.

21 H e that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

He who follows what is right and loving and kind finds life, right-standing with God and honor.

22 A wise scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

A wise man goes over the city walls of the powerful, and brings down the strong-place in which they trust.

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

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

24 P roud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.

“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 sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:

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

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

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 abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!

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

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 hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth 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, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.

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 safety is of Jehovah.

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