1 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the LORD’S hand:
He directs it wherever he chooses. r
2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the LORD weighs hearts. s
3 Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. t
4 The lamp that guides the wicked—
haughty eyes and an arrogant heart u—is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. v
6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist, Q a pursuit of death. R,S,w
7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.
8 A guilty one’s conduct is crooked, x
but the behavior of the innocent is upright. y
9 Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife. z
10 A wicked person desires evil;
he has no consideration T for his neighbor. a
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge. b
12 The Righteous One U considers the house of the wicked;
he brings the wicked to ruin.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered. c
14 A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe, fierce rage. d
15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to those who practice iniquity. e
16 The person who strays from the way of prudence
will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. f
17 The one who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. g
18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous, for V the upright. h
19 Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. i
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor. k
22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress. l
23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble. m
24 The arrogant and proud person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive arrogance. n
25 A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work. o
26 He is filled with craving X all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back. p
27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives! q
28 A lying witness will perish, r
but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29 A wicked person puts on a bold face, s
but the upright one considers his way.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the LORD. t
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, u
but victory comes from the LORD. v