1 R ivulets of waters the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.

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

2 E very way of a man right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

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

3 T o do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.

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

4 L oftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked sin.

Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5 T he purposes of the diligent only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.

The thoughts of the diligent only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.

6 T he making of treasures by a lying tongue, a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.

7 T he spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.

The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

8 F roward the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright his work.

Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.

9 B etter to sit on a corner of the roof, Than a woman of contentions and a house of company.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.

10 T he soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 W hen the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.

When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 T he Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to ruin.

13 W hoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.

15 T o do justice joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.

It is joy to a righteous to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.

The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.

17 W hoso loving mirth a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.

He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 T he wicked an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous in the stead of the upright.

19 B etter to dwell in a wilderness land, Than a woman of contentions and anger.

It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.

20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.

There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21 W hoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

A wise scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 W hoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 P roud, haughty, scorner his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.

Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 T he desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.

The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:

26 A ll the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 T he sacrifice of the wicked abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!

28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.

A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.

29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.

A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.

30 T here is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.

31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance of Jehovah!

The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.