1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water;

he turns it wherever he wants.

2All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion,

but the Lord evaluates the motives.

3To do righteousness and justice

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart –

the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty,

but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth;

they seek death.

7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away

because they refuse to do what is right.

8The way of the guilty person is devious,

but as for the pure, his way is upright.

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

than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.

10The appetite of the wicked desires evil;

his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.

11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise;

when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;

he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,

he too will cry out and will not be answered.

14A gift given in secret subdues anger,

and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.

15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous

and terror to those who do evil.

16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom

will end up in the company of the departed.

17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person;

whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.

19It is better to live in a desert land

than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.

20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise,

but a foolish person devours all he has.

21The one who pursues righteousness and love

finds life, bounty, and honor.

22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty

and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.

23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue

keeps his life from troubles.

24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,”

acts with overbearing pride.

25What the sluggard desires will kill him,

for his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves greedily,

but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

27The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination;

how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

28A lying witness will perish,

but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.

29A wicked person shows boldness with his face,

but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.

30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,

and there is no counsel against the Lord.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but the victory is from the Lord.