1The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.^a
3Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
10An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11A just balance and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
for the throne is established by righteousness.
13Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves him who speaks what is right.
14A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
and a wise man will appease it.
15In the light of a king’s face there is life,
and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.
16How much better to get wisdom than gold!
To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17The highway of the upright turns aside from evil;
whoever guards his way preserves his life.
18Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20Whoever gives thought to the word^b will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21The wise of heart is called discerning,
and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
25There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.^c
26A worker’s appetite works for him;
his mouth urges him on.
27A worthless man plots evil,
and his speech^d is like a scorching fire.
28A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
30Whoever winks his eyes plans^e dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
32Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.