1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;

he turns it wherever he will.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

but the LORD weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

the lamp21:4 Or the ploughing of the wicked, are sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapour and a snare of death.21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapour for those who seek death

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,

because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of the guilty is crooked,

but the conduct of the pure is upright.

9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop

than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbour finds no mercy in his eyes.

11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;

when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;

he throws the wicked down to ruin.

13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor

will himself call out and not be answered.

14A gift in secret averts anger,

and a concealed bribe,21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom strong wrath.

15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.

16One who wanders from the way of good sense

will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;

he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

and the traitor for the upright.

19It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,

but a foolish man devours it.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness

will find life, righteousness, and honour.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty

and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man

who acts with arrogant pride.

25The desire of the sluggard kills him,

for his hands refuse to labour.

26All day long he craves and craves,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

28A false witness will perish,

but the word of a man who hears will endure.

29A wicked man puts on a bold face,

but the upright gives thought to21:29 Or establishes his ways.

30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

can avail against the LORD.

31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but the victory belongs to the LORD.