1 T he king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.

2 E very way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.

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

4 H aughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp to them, are sin.

5 T he thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.

6 S ecuring treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death.

7 T he violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.

8 T he way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right and his conduct is straight.

9 I t is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.

10 T he soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 W hen the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed.

12 T he righteous man considers well the house of the wicked—how the wicked are cast down to ruin.

13 W hoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.

15 W hen justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.

16 A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).

17 H e who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 T he wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous for the upright.

19 I t is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.

20 T here are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.

21 H e who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 H e who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.

24 T he proud and haughty man—Scoffer is his name—deals and acts with overbearing pride.

25 T he desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

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

27 T he sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent —how much more when he brings it with evil intention?

28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.

29 A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face, but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way.

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

31 T he horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.