1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs motives.

3 Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.

4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose —
even the wicked for the day of disaster.

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.

6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.

7 When a person’s ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.

9 A person’s heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
all the weights in the bag are his concern.

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,
since a throne is established through righteousness.

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,
but a wise person appeases it.

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;
his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Get wisdom —
how much better it is than gold!
And get understanding —
it is preferable to silver.

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.

18 Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble
than to divide plunder with the proud.

20 The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech increases learning.

22 Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:
sweet to the taste and health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a person,
but its end is the way to death.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger urges him on.

27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A violent person lures his neighbor,
leading him on a path that is not good.

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;
it is found in the ways of righteousness.

32 Patience is better than power,
and controlling one’s emotions, than capturing a city.

33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.