1 T he plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.

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 clean in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives.

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

3 C ommit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.

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

4 Y ahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

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

5 E veryone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

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

6 B y mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart 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 Yahweh, 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 great revenues with injustice.

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

9 A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.

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

10 I nspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

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

11 H onest balances and scales are Yahweh’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 do wrong, for the 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. They value one who speaks the truth.

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

14 T he king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify 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. His favor is like a cloud of the spring 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 it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, 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 I t is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder 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 finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

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 shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

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

22 U nderstanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their 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 instructs 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 a honeycomb, sweet 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 which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

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

26 T he appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

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

27 A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

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

28 A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.

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

29 A man of violence 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 O ne who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

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

31 G ray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

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

32 O ne who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one 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 Yahweh.

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