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1 A king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he desires.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice 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 surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.
6 Gaining treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven away;
those who do so seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.
9 Better to live in a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of a wicked man craves evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When a scoffer is punished, a simple person becomes wise;
when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever stops his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret quiets anger, and a bribe in the fold of a garment, fierce wrath.
15 Doing justice is a joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will come to want;
whoever loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18 A wicked person is a ransom for a righteous person, and a treacherous one takes the place of the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable wife.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, but a foolish man devours them.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales a city of warriors and brings down the stronghold in which it trusted.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his life from troubles.
24 “Scoffer” is the name of the proud, arrogant man who acts with insolent fury.
25 The sluggard’s desire kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves greedily, but a righteous person gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A lying witness will perish, but a man who listens will speak on.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright person understands his way.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can stand against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.