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 is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.

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

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

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

To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

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

Haughty 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 plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

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

The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

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

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

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

The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct 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 live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

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

The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor 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 scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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

The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning 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.

He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.

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

A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

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

The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

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

A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

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

He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become 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 the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

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

It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

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

There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.

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

He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.

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

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

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

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

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

“Proud,” “Haughty,” “ Scoffer,” are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.

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

The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

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

All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

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

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

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

A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

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

A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

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

There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the Lord.

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 victory belongs to the Lord.