1 T he plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

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 eyes; but Yahweh 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 deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

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

4 Y ahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, 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 Yahweh: they shall certainly 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 mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart 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 please Yahweh, 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 revenues with injustice.

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

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

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

10 I nspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

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

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

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 do wrong, for the throne is established by 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. They value one who speaks the truth.

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

14 T he king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

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

15 I n the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of 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! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than 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 keeps his way preserves his soul.

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 a fall.

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

19 I t is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder 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 heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

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

21 T he wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

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 punishment of fools is their 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 learning 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 health 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 in the end it leads to death.

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

26 T he appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

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

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

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

28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close 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 O ne who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

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

31 G ray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life 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 O ne who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes 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 Yahweh.

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