1 The king’s heartisin the hand of theLord,
Likethe rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every way of a manisright in his own eyes,
# But theLordweighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice
Ismore acceptable to theLordthan sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart,
Andthe plowing of the wickedaresin.
5 The plans of the diligentleadsurely to plenty,
Butthoseofeveryonewhoishasty, surely to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Isthe fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty manisperverse;
Butasforthe pure, his workisright.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
# Than in a house shared witha contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
# But when thewise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteousGodwisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked fortheirwickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 Itisa joy for the just to do justice,
But destructionwillcometo the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
# Will rest in the assembly of thedead.
17 He who loves pleasurewillbea poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wickedshallbea ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 Thereisdesirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Awisemanscales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proudandhaughtyman— “Scoffer”ishis name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25 Thedesire of the lazymankills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
# But the righteousgives and does not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wickedisan abomination;
How much morewhenhe brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hearshimwill speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
Butasforthe upright, he establishes his way.
30 Thereisno wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against theLord.
31 The horseisprepared for the day of battle,
# Butdeliveranceisof theLord.