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

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

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

3 T o do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more 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 H aughty 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 plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

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

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

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

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

8 T he way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct 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 live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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 desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor 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 scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives 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 T he righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning 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 H e who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

He who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.

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

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

15 T he exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to 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 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

A man who goes away from the way of understanding will rest in the gathering 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 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 the treacherous is in the place 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 live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

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

20 T here is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows 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 who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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 puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

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

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

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 an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

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

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

A sinful man’s face shows he is pretending, but a good man is sure of himself.

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

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 victory belongs to the Lord.

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