1The king'sheartis [like] channelsof waterin the handof the LORD;He turnsit whereverHe wishes.
2Everyman'swayis rightin his own eyes,But the LORDweighsthe hearts.
3To dorighteousnessand justiceIs desiredby the LORDmorethansacrifice.
4Haughtyeyesand a proudheart,The lampof the wicked,is sin.
5The plansof the diligent[lead] surelyto advantage,But everyonewho is hasty[comes] surelyto poverty.
6The acquisitionof treasuresby a lyingtongueIs a fleetingvapor,the pursuitof death.
7The violenceof the wickedwill dragthem away,Becausethey refuseto actwith justice.
8The wayof a guiltymanis crooked,But as for the pure,his conductis upright.
9It is betterto livein a cornerof a roofThanin a housesharedwith a contentiouswoman.
10The soulof the wickeddesiresevil;His neighborfindsnofavorin his eyes.
11When the scofferis punished,the naivebecomeswise;But when the wiseis instructed,he receivesknowledge.
12The righteousoneconsidersthe houseof the wicked,Turningthe wickedto ruin.
13He who shutshis earto the cryof the poorWill alsocryhimselfand not be answered.
14A giftin secretsubduesanger,And a bribein the bosom,strongwrath.
15The exerciseof justiceis joyfor the righteous,But is terrorto the workersof iniquity.
16A manwho wandersfrom the wayof understandingWill restin the assemblyof the dead.
17He who lovespleasure[will become] a poorman;He who loveswineand oilwill not becomerich.
18The wickedis a ransomfor the righteous,And the treacherousis in the placeof the upright.
19It is betterto livein a desertlandThanwith a contentiousand vexingwoman.
20There is precioustreasureand oilin the dwellingof the wise,But a foolishmanswallowsit up.
21He who pursuesrighteousnessand loyaltyFindslife,righteousnessand honor.
22A wisemanscalesthe cityof the mightyAnd bringsdownthe strongholdin whichthey trust.
23He who guardshis mouthand his tongue,Guardshis soulfrom troubles.
24"Proud,""Haughty,""Scoffer,"are his names,Who actswith insolentpride.
25The desireof the sluggardputshim to death,For his handsrefuseto work;
26Alldaylong he is craving,While the righteousgivesand does not holdback.
27The sacrificeof the wickedis an abomination,Howmuchmorewhenhe bringsit with evilintent!
28A falsewitnesswill perish,But the manwho listens[to the truth] will speakforever.
29A wickedmandisplaysa boldface,But as for the upright,he makeshis waysure.
30Thereis nowisdomand nounderstandingAnd nocounselagainstthe LORD.
31The horseis preparedfor the dayof battle,But victorybelongs to the LORD.
