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

The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

2 E very way of a man 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 weighs and tries the hearts.

3 T o do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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

4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp to them, are sin.

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

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.

6 G etting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

Securing treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death.

7 T he violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.

8 T he way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

The way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right and his conduct is straight.

9 B etter to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.

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

The soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

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

When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed.

12 T he righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

The righteous man considers well the house of the wicked—how the wicked are cast down to ruin.

13 W hoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.

15 I t is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.

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

A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).

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

He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 T he wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous for the upright.

19 B etter to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.

20 T here is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

21 H e who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

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

23 W hoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man — “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

The proud and haughty man—Scoffer is his name—deals and acts with overbearing pride.

25 T he desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26 H e covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

He covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.

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

The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent —how much more when he brings it with evil intention?

28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.

29 A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face, but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way.

30 T here is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.

There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.

31 T he horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.