1 T he king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 E very man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

3 T o do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 H aughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 T he plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6 T he acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

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

The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8 T he way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 I t is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

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

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 W hen the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 T he righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.

The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13 H e who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

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

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 T he exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 H e who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 T he wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 I t is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

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

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 H e who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

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

23 H e who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 “ Proud,” “Haughty,” “ Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 T he desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

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

He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

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

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30 T here is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

31 T he horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the Lord.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.