1 T he preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 A ll the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives.

3 C ommit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.

Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.

4 T he Lord has made all for Himself, Yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.

The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 E veryone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

6 I n mercy and truth Atonement is provided for iniquity; And by the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.

By lovingkindness and truth iniquity is atoned for, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.

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

When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 B etter is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.

Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.

9 A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

10 D ivination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.

A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.

11 H onest weights and scales are the Lord ’s; All the weights in the bag are His work.

A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern.

12 I t is an abomination for kings to commit wickedness, For a throne is established by righteousness.

It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, For a throne is established on righteousness.

13 R ighteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaks what is right.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved.

14 A s messengers of death is the king’s wrath, But a wise man will appease it.

The fury of a king is like messengers of death, But a wise man will appease it.

15 I n the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud of the latter rain.

In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.

16 H ow much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.

17 T he highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who watches his way preserves his life.

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

Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.

19 B etter to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

20 H e who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.

He who gives attention to the word will find good, And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.

21 T he wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 U nderstanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly.

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.

23 T he heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 P leasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 T here is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

26 T he person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on.

A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.

27 A n ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.

28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.

A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends.

29 A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.

A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.

30 H e winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.

31 T he silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.

A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.

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

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

33 T he lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.