New Living Translation

1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD;<br>he guides it wherever he pleases.<br> 2 People may be right in their own eyes,<br>but the LORD examines their heart.<br> 3 The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just<br>than when we offer him sacrifices.<br> 4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart,<br>and evil actions are all sin.<br> 5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,<br>but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.<br> 6 Wealth created by a lying tongue<br>is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.<br> 7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,<br>because they refuse to do what is just.<br> 8 The guilty walk a crooked path;<br>the innocent travel a straight road.<br> 9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic<br>than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.<br> 10 Evil people desire evil;<br>their neighbors get no mercy from them.<br> 11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;<br>if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.<br> 12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;<br>he will bring disaster on them.<br> 13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor<br>will be ignored in their own time of need.<br> 14 A secret gift calms anger;<br>a bribe under the table pacifies fury.<br> 15 Justice is a joy to the godly,<br>but it terrifies evildoers.<br> 16 The person who strays from common sense<br>will end up in the company of the dead.<br> 17 Those who love pleasure become poor;<br>those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.<br> 18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly,<br>and traitors in place of the honest.<br> 19 It’s better to live alone in the desert<br>than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.<br> 20 The wise have wealth and luxury,<br>but fools spend whatever they get.<br> 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love<br>will find life, righteousness, and honor.<br> 22 The wise conquer the city of the strong<br>and level the fortress in which they trust.<br> 23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,<br>and you will stay out of trouble.<br> 24 Mockers are proud and haughty;<br>they act with boundless arrogance.<br> 25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,<br>for their hands refuse to work.<br> 26 Some people are always greedy for more,<br>but the godly love to give!<br> 27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,<br>especially when it is offered with wrong motives.<br> 28 A false witness will be cut off,<br>but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.<br> 29 The wicked bluff their way through,<br>but the virtuous think before they act.<br> 30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan<br>can stand against the LORD.<br> 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,<br>but the victory belongs to the LORD.<br>