1The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,

but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.a

2All a person’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs motives.a a

3Commit your activities to the Lord,

and your plans will be established.a

4The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose —

even the wicked for the day of disaster.a

5Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;a

be assured,A he will not go unpunished.b

6Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,a

and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.b

7When a person’s ways please the Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.a

8Better a little with righteousness

than great income with injustice.a

9A person’s heart plans his way,

but the Lord determines his steps.a

10God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;a a

his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.b

11Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his concern.a

12Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,a

since a throne is established through righteousness.b

13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14A king’s fury is a messenger of death,

but a wise person appeases it.a

15When a king’s face lights up, there is life;

his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16Get wisdom —

how much better it is than gold!

And get understanding —

it is preferable to silver.a

17The highway of the uprighta avoids evil;

the one who guards his way protects his life.b

18Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall.a

19Better to be lowly of spirit with the humblea a

than to divide plunder with the proud.b

20The one who understands a matter finds success,a

and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.b

21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speechA increases learning.a

22Insight is a fountain of lifea for its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;

it adds learning to his speech.a a

24Pleasant words are a honeycomb:a

sweet to the tasteA and health to the body.B b

25There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.a

26A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hungerA urges him on.

27A worthless person digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.a

28A contrary person spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends.a

29A violent person lures his neighbor,a

leading him on a path that is not good.b

30The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.a

31Gray hair is a glorious crown;a

it is found in the ways of righteousness.b

32Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s emotions,A than capturing a city.a

33The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the Lord.a