1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water:

He turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes:

But the Lord pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;

he guides it wherever he pleases.

2 People may be right in their own eyes,

but the Lord examines their heart.

3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just

than when we offer him sacrifices.

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

1 The Lord can control a king’s mind as he controls a river;

he can direct it as he pleases.

2 You may believe you are doing right,

but the Lord judges your reasons.

3 Doing what is right and fair

is more important to the Lord than sacrifices.

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses:

He turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;

But Jehovah weighteth the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

1 The king’s heart in the hand of Jehovah is as brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

1 The king’s heart is like streams of water. 

Both are under the Lord’s control. 

He turns them in any direction he chooses. 

2 A person thinks everything he does is right, 

but the Lord weighs hearts. 

3 Doing what is right and fair 

is more acceptable to the Lord than offering a sacrifice. 

1 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever He chooses.

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord evaluates the motives.

3 Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;

he turns it wherever he will.

2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

1 Streams of water are the heart of a king in the hand of Yahweh;

wherever he will desire, he will turn.

2 Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes,

but Yahweh weighs hearts.

3 Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable

to Yahweh than sacrifice.

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.

He directs it like a stream of water anywhere he pleases.

2 Everything a man does might seem right to him.

But the Lord knows what he is thinking.

3 Do what is right and fair.

The Lord accepts that more than sacrifices.

1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice

Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.