1 T he plans of the mind and orderly thinking belong to man, but from the Lord comes the answer of the tongue.

2 A ll the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits (the thoughts and intents of the heart).

3 R oll your works upon the Lord so shall your plans be established and succeed.

4 T he Lord has made everything to its own end and His own purpose—even the wicked for the day of calamity and evil.

5 E veryone proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting, hateful, and exceedingly offensive to the Lord; be assured they will not go unpunished.

6 B y mercy and love, truth and fidelity, iniquity is purged out of the heart, and by the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord men depart from and avoid evil.

7 W hen a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 B etter is a little with righteousness (uprightness in every area and relation and right standing with God) than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

10 D ivinely directed decisions are on the lips of the king; his mouth should not transgress in judgment.

11 A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights of the bag are His work.

12 I t is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, for a throne is established and made secure by righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

13 R ight and just lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14 T he wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 I n the light of the king’s countenance is life, and his favor is as a cloud bringing the spring rain.

16 H ow much better it is to get skillful and godly Wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 T he highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.

18 P ride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 B etter it is to be of a humble spirit with the meek and poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 H e who deals wisely and heeds word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord—happy, blessed, and fortunate is he.

21 T he wise in heart are called prudent, understanding, and knowing, and winsome speech increases learning.

22 U nderstanding is a wellspring of life to those who have it, but to give instruction to fools is folly.

23 T he mind of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning and persuasiveness to his lips.

24 P leasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.

25 T here is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.

26 T he appetite of the laborer works for him, for his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man devises and digs up mischief, and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

29 T he exceedingly grasping, covetous, and violent man entices his neighbor, leading him in a way that is not good.

30 H e who shuts his eyes to devise perverse things and who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 T he hoary head is a crown of beauty and glory if it is found in the way of righteousness (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation).

32 H e who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

33 T he lot is cast into the lap, but the decision is wholly of the Lord.