New Living Translation

1 We can make our own plans,<br>but the LORD gives the right answer.<br> 2 People may be pure in their own eyes,<br>but the LORD examines their motives.<br> 3 Commit your actions to the LORD,<br>and your plans will succeed.<br> 4 The LORD has made everything for his own purposes,<br>even the wicked for a day of disaster.<br> 5 The LORD detests the proud;<br>they will surely be punished.<br> 6 Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.<br>By fearing the LORD, people avoid evil.<br> 7 When people’s lives please the LORD,<br>even their enemies are at peace with them.<br> 8 Better to have little, with godliness,<br>than to be rich and dishonest.<br> 9 We can make our plans,<br>but the LORD determines our steps.<br> 10 The king speaks with divine wisdom;<br>he must never judge unfairly.<br> 11 The LORD demands accurate scales and balances;<br>he sets the standards for fairness.<br> 12 A king detests wrongdoing,<br>for his rule is built on justice.<br> 13 The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;<br>he loves those who speak honestly.<br> 14 The anger of the king is a deadly threat;<br>the wise will try to appease it.<br> 15 When the king smiles, there is life;<br>his favor refreshes like a spring rain.<br> 16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,<br>and good judgment than silver!<br> 17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;<br>whoever follows that path is safe.<br> 18 Pride goes before destruction,<br>and haughtiness before a fall.<br> 19 Better to live humbly with the poor<br>than to share plunder with the proud.<br> 20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;<br>those who trust the LORD will be joyful.<br> 21 The wise are known for their understanding,<br>and pleasant words are persuasive.<br> 22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,<br>but discipline is wasted on fools.<br> 23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;<br>the words of the wise are persuasive.<br> 24 Kind words are like honey —<br>sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.<br> 25 There is a path before each person that seems right,<br>but it ends in death.<br> 26 It is good for workers to have an appetite;<br>an empty stomach drives them on.<br> 27 Scoundrels create trouble;<br>their words are a destructive blaze.<br> 28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;<br>gossip separates the best of friends.<br> 29 Violent people mislead their companions,<br>leading them down a harmful path.<br> 30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;<br>with a smirk, they plan their mischief.<br> 31 Gray hair is a crown of glory;<br>it is gained by living a godly life.<br> 32 Better to be patient than powerful;<br>better to have self-control than to conquer a city.<br> 33 We may throw the dice,<br>but the LORD determines how they fall.<br>