¹ The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He wishes. ² Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts. ³ To do righteousness and justice
Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. ⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin. ⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,
But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. ⁶ The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. ⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
Because they refuse to act with justice. ⁸ The way of a guilty man is crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. ⁹ It is better to live in a corner of a roof
Than in a house shared with a 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 naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. ¹² The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
Turning the wicked to ruin. ¹³ He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be answered. ¹⁴ A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. ¹⁵ The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,
But is terror to the workers of iniquity. ¹⁶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead. ¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not become rich. ¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous is in the place of the upright. ¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and vexing woman. ²⁰ There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man swallows it up. ²¹ He who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness and honor. ²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the stronghold in which they trust. ²³ He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles. ²⁴ “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names,
Who acts with insolent pride. ²⁵ The desire of the sluggard puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work; ²⁶ All day long he is craving,
While the righteous gives and does not hold back. ²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent! ²⁸ A false witness will perish,
But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever. ²⁹ A wicked man displays a bold face,
But as for the upright, he makes his way sure. ³⁰ There is no wisdom and no understanding
And no counsel against the LORD. ³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But victory belongs to the LORD.