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 Yahweh.

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

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

3 T rust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well.

Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

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

Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

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

By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

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

When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

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

A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

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

Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

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

Honest balances and scales are Yahweh’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

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

It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.

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

Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14 T he anger of a king carries death, but a wise man will quiet it.

The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

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

In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

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

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

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

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18 P ride comes before being destroyed and a proud spirit comes before a fall.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

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

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

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

He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

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

The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

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

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

23 T he heart of the wise has power over his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

24 P leasing words are like honey. They are sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

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

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

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

The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

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

A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

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

A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

29 A man who hurts people tempts his neighbor to do the same, and leads him in a 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 who winks his eyes plans to do bad things. He who closes his lips allows sinful things to happen.

One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

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

Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

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

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

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

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Yahweh.