✧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 clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives. ✧3Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed. ✧4The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil. ✧5Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished. ✧6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart 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. ✧
World English Bible (WEB). World English Bible (Protestant edition). Public domain.
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A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
✧10Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
✧11Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
✧12It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
✧13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
✧14The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
✧15In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
✧16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
✧17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
✧18Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
✧19It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
✧20He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
✧21The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
✧22Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
✧23The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
✧24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
✧25There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
✧26The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
✧27A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
✧28A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
✧29A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
✧30One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
✧31Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
✧32One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one 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.