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 the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

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 pondereth the hearts.

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

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

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

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is 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 of every one that is hasty only to want.

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

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

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

The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

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

The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

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 with a brawling woman in a wide house.

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

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour 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 scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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

The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

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

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

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

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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

It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

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

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation 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 that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

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

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

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

There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

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

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

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

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

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

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

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

He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

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 abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

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

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

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

A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

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

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor 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 against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.