1 The Lord guides the king's heart like watercourses,
turning it whither He will.
2 A man's life may seem thoroughly straight to himself,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 The doing of justice and right
to the Lord is more welcome than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a heart of pride,
the soil of the wicked is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent issue in gain,
but too much haste leads only to want.
6 He that wins him wealth by a fraudulent tongue
is pursuing a breath and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to act justly.
8 The way of the vicious is crooked,
but a pure man does what is straight.
9 It is better to live on the roof in a corner,
than in a spacious house with a quarrelsome woman.
10 The wicked man's passion is all to do harm;
he looks on his neighbour with pitiless eye.
11 When a scoffer is punished, a fool becomes wise;
but the wise are receptive, and learn by instruction.
12 The Lord considers the righteous,
but the house of the wicked he overthrows.
13 He that stops his ears at the cry of the poor
will find his own call unanswered.
14 A gift in secret extinguishes anger,
and a bribe in the bosom soothes strong indignation.
15 When justice is done, the righteous rejoice;
but evil-doers are ruined.
16 The man who strays from wisdom's way
will rest where the dead are gathered.
17 The lover of pleasure will come to want,
and lovers of wine and oil cannot grow rich.
18 For the righteous the wicked is ransom;
the false take the place of the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land
than with a provoking and quarrelsome woman.
20 In the wise man's homestead is precious treasure,
but a silly man swallows it up.
21 The pursuit of justice and kindness
is crowned with life and honour.
22 The wise man scales the strong men's city,
and brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue
preserves himself from trouble.
24 Scoffers men call the proud and haughty
who act with insolent pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard will slay him,
for his hands refuse to work.
26 Desires and petitions are endless,
but the righteous gives unsparingly.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable;
much more when offered with vile intent.
28 A lying witness will perish,
but a trustworthy witness will stand forever.
29 The wicked put on a bold face,
but the upright take heed to their conduct.
30 No wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel can match the Lord.
31 For the day of battle the horse may be harnessed,
but only the Lord can dispense the victory.