1 T he preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 A ll the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the spirits.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.

3 C ommit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.

4 T he Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 E very one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6 B y mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

7 W hen a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 B etter is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.

Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.

A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

11 A just weight and balance are the Lord 's: all the weights of the bag are his work.

A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern.

12 I t is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.

13 R ighteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

14 T he wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

15 I n the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

16 H ow much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

17 T he highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

18 P ride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

19 B etter it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 H e that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

21 T he wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 U nderstanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.

23 T he heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 P leasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 T here is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

26 H e that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.

A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

27 A n ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.

28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 H e shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 T he hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.

A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

32 H e that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

33 T he lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.

The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.