The King’s Heart

1As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.

2Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.

3To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.

4A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.

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6He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.

7Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.

8To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.

9It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.

10The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.

11When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.

12A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.

13He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him.

14A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.

15It is the joy of the righteous to do judgement: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.

16A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.

17A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;

18and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.

19It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.

20A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.

21The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.

22A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.

23He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.

24A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.

25Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.

26An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.

27The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.

28A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.

29An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.

30There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.