Salvation Belongs to Yahweh

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

He turns it wherever He pleases.

2Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,

But Yahweh weighs the hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice

Is chosen by Yahweh over sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

The fallow ground of the wicked—are sin.

5The [†]thoughts of the diligent lead surely to profit,

But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

6Working for treasures by a lying tongue

Is a fleeting breath, by those who pursue death.

7The destruction of the wicked will drag them away,

Because they refuse to do justice.

8The way of a guilty man is perverse,

But as for the pure, his work is upright.

9It is better to live in a corner of a roof

Than [†]in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10The soul of the wicked craves evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When the scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;

And when one considers wisdom, he receives knowledge.

12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,

Turning the wicked to ruin.

13He who shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor

Will himself also call and not be answered.

14A gift in secret subdues anger,

And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

15To do justice is [†]pleasure for the righteous,

But is ruin to the workers of iniquity.

16A man who wanders from the way of insight

Will rest in the assembly of the [†]dead.

17He who loves [†]pleasure will become a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

19It is better to live in a desert land

Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

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

But a foolish man swallows it up.

21He who pursues righteousness and lovingkindness

Finds life, righteousness, and glory.

22A wise man goes up to the city of the mighty

And brings down the [†]stronghold in which they trust.

23He who keeps his mouth and his tongue,

Keeps his soul from troubles.

24“Arrogant,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names,

Who acts with arrogant fury.

25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death,

For his hands refuse to work;

26All day long he [†]is insatiably craving,

While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,

How much more when he brings it with a wicked scheme!

28A false witness will perish,

But the man who listens will speak forever.

29A wicked man [†]displays a brazen face,

But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30There is no wisdom, there is no discernment

And there is no counsel against Yahweh.

31The horse is set for the day of battle,

But salvation belongs to Yahweh.