1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Adonai.

2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Adonai weighs the motives.

3Commit your deeds to Adonai, and your plans shall succeed.

4Adonai 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 Adonai: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6By chesed ·loving-kindness· and truth depravity (moral evil) is atoned for. By the fear of Adonai men depart from evil.

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

8Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with lo'mishpat ·injustice·.

9A man’s heart plans his course, but Adonai directs his steps.

10Inspired charges are on the lips of the king. His mouth shall not betray his judgments.

11Mishpat ·Honest· balances and scales are Adonai’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12It is an abomination for kings to do ethical wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They 'ahav ·affectionately love· 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 a haughty 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 Adonai 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. ¹⁴

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 mishpat ·decision· is from Adonai.