1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh;
he turns it wherever he pleases.

2Every person's way is right in his own eyes,
but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.

3To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked—are sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity,
but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.

6Acquiring riches by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
for they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty person is crooked,
but the one who is pure does what is right.

9It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10The appetite of the wicked craves evil;
his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise,
and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.

12The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person;
he brings wicked people to disaster.

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.

14A gift in secret appeases anger
and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.

15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person,
but it brings terror to evildoers.

16The one who wanders from the way of understanding,
he will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person,
and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.

19It is better to live in the desert
than with a quarreling and angry wife.

20Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish person swallows it all up.

21The one who does right and is kind—
this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones,
and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.

23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.

24The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name—
acts with arrogant pride.

25The desire of the lazy kills him,
for his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves and craves more,
but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable;
it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.

28A false witness will perish,
but the one who listens will speak for all time.

29A wicked man makes his face hard,
but an upright person is certain about his ways. ²

30There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice
that can stand against Yahweh.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to Yahweh.