The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 aEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes,
bBut the Lord weighs the hearts.
3 aTo do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 aA haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5 aThe plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 aGetting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with aa contentious woman.
10 aThe soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the awise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 aWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the adead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 aThere is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21 aHe who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A awise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23 aWhoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The adesire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous agives and does not spare.
27 aThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30 aThere is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But adeliverance is of the Lord.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved.