✧1The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. ✧2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. ✧3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ✧4A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin. ✧5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty. ✧6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. ✧7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right. ✧8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. ✧
World English Bible (WEB). World English Bible (Protestant edition). Public domain.
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It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
✧10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
✧11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
✧12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
✧13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
✧14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
✧15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
✧16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
✧17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
✧18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
✧19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
✧20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
✧21He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
✧22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
✧23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
✧24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
✧25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
✧26There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
✧27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
✧28A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
✧29A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
✧30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
✧31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.