1 T he plans of the heart belong to man, But 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 sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.

All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the thoughts of the heart.

3 C ommit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.

Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well.

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

The Lord has made all things for His own plans, even the sinful for the day of trouble.

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

Everyone who is proud in heart is a shame to the Lord. For sure, that one will be punished.

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

Sin has been paid for by loving-kindness and truth. The fear of the Lord keeps one away from sin.

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

When the ways of a man are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even those who hate him to be at peace with him.

8 B etter is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

A little earned in a right way is better than much earned in a wrong way.

9 T he mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

The mind of a man plans his way, but the Lord shows him what to do.

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

The lips of the king should decide as God would. His mouth should not sin in deciding what is right or wrong.

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

What is fair in telling the weight of something belongs to the Lord. He cares about all the weights of the bag.

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

It is a hated thing for kings to do what is wrong. For a throne is built on what is right.

13 R ighteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

Lips that speak what is right and good are the joy of kings, and he who speaks the truth is loved.

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

The anger of a king carries death, but a wise man will quiet it.

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

Life is in the light of a king’s face, and his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

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

To get wisdom is much better than getting gold. To get understanding should be chosen instead of silver.

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

The road of the faithful turns away from sin. He who watches his way keeps his life.

18 P ride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Pride comes before being destroyed and a proud spirit comes before a fall.

19 I t is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

It is better to be poor in spirit among poor people, than to divide the riches that were taken with the proud.

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

He who listens to the Word will find good, and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.

21 T he wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

The wise in heart will be called understanding. And to speak in a pleasing way helps people know what you say is right.

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

Understanding is a well of life to him who has it, but to speak strong words to fools is of no use.

23 T he heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

The heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

24 P leasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Pleasing words are like honey. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

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

There is a way that looks right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

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

A workman’s hunger works for him. The need of his mouth pushes him on.

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

A man of no worth looks for wrong-doing. His words are like burning fire.

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

A bad man spreads trouble. One who hurts people with bad talk separates good friends.

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

A man who hurts people tempts his neighbor to do the same, and leads him in a way that is not good.

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

He who winks his eyes plans to do bad things. He who closes his lips allows sinful things to happen.

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

Hair that is turning white is like a crown of honor. It is found in the way of being right with God.

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

He who is slow to anger is better than the powerful. And he who rules his spirit is better than he who takes a city.

33 T he lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

Man decides by throwing an object into the lap, but it is the Lord only who decides.