[1] The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes
from the Lord. [2] All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts
men's spirits into his scales. [3] Put your works into the hands of the
Lord, and your purposes will be made certain. [4] The Lord has made
everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil. [5]
Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will
certainly not go free from punishment. [6] By mercy and good faith
evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away
from evil. [7] When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even
his haters be at peace with him. [8] Better is a little with righteousness,
than great wealth with wrongdoing. [9] A man may make designs for his way,
but the Lord is the guide of his steps. [10] Decision is in the lips of the
king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging. [11] True measures and scales
are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work. [12] Evil-doing is
disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
[13] Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what
is upright is dear to him. [14] The wrath of the king is like those who
give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it. [15] In
the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a
cloud of spring rain. [16] How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver. [17] The highway of
the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way
will keep his soul. [18] Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit
before a fall. [19] Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor,
than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride. [20] He who
gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his
faith in the Lord is happy. [21] The wise-hearted will be named men of good
sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased. [22] Wisdom is a
fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is
their foolish behaviour. [23] The heart of the wise man is the teacher of
his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips. [24] Pleasing words
are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones. [25] There is
a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
[26] The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food
is driving him on. [27] A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and
in his lips there is a burning fire. [28] A man of twisted purposes is a
cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble
between friends. [29] A violent man puts desire of evil into his
neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good. [30] He
whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips
shut tight makes evil come about. [31] The grey head is a crown of glory,
if it is seen in the way of righteousness. [32] He who is slow to be angry
is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he
who takes a town. [33] A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it
comes about through the Lord.
