1The king’s heart is in Adonai’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Adonai weighs the hearts.

3To do righteousness and mishpat ·justice· is more acceptable to Adonai than sacrifice.

4A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp candle of the wicked, is habitual sin ·missing the mark·.

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 mishpat ·just·.

8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9It 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 pity 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 upright to do mishpat ·justice·; but it is a destruction to the workers of vain striving of iniquity.

16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17He who 'ahav ·affectionately loves· pleasure shall be a poor man. He who 'ahav ·affectionately loves· wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the upright; 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 chesed ·loving-kindness· finds life, righteousness, and kavod ·weighty glory·.

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 haughty 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 upright 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, and a man who sh'ma ·hears obeys· 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 Adonai.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Adonai.