1 R ivulets of waters the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.

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 way of a man right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

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

3 T o do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather 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 L oftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked sin.

Eyes lifted high and a proud heart is sin and is the lamp of the sinful.

5 T he purposes of the diligent only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.

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 making of treasures by a lying tongue, a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

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

7 T he spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.

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

8 F roward the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright his work.

The way of a guilty man is sinful, but the actions of the pure man are right.

9 B etter to sit on a corner of the roof, Than a woman of contentions and a house of company.

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 hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.

The soul of the sinful has a desire for what is bad. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 W hen the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth 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 is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

The One Who is right and good thinks about the house of the sinful, and the sinful are thrown down to be destroyed.

13 W hoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not 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 pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.

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

15 T o do justice joy to the righteous, But ruin to 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 is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.

A man who goes away from the way of understanding will rest in the gathering of the dead.

17 W hoso loving mirth a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.

He who loves only fun will become a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

18 T he wicked an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.

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 B etter to dwell in a wilderness land, Than a woman of contentions and anger.

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

20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.

There are riches and oil of great worth in the house of the wise, but a foolish man swallows them up.

21 W hoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

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

23 W hoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.

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

24 P roud, haughty, scorner his name, Who is working in the wrath of 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 slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.

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

26 A ll the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

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 abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.

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 doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.

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 hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.

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

30 T here is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.

There is no wisdom and no understanding and no words that can stand against the Lord.

31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance of Jehovah!

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