1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. |
2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. |
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin! |
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. |
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. |
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. |
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. |
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. |
10 The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him. |
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge. |
12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. |
13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered. |
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. |
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. |
16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead. |
17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich. |
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. |
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife. |
20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. |
21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. |
22 A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. |
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. |
24 The proud and arrogant man--"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride. |
25 The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. |
26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. |
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable--how much more so when brought with evil intent! |
28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever. |
29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways. |
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. |
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. |