21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever He chooses. u

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord evaluates the motives. v w

3 Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. x

4 The lamp y that guides the wicked—

haughty eyes and an arrogant heart z—is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,

but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. a

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist, b a pursuit of death. c d e

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away

because they refuse to act justly.

8 A * guilty man’s conduct is crooked, f

but the behavior of the innocent is upright. g

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof

than to share a house with a nagging wife. h

10 A wicked person desires evil;

he has no consideration i for his neighbor. j

11 When a mocker is punished,

the inexperienced become wiser;

when one teaches a wise man,

he acquires knowledge. k

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;

He brings the wicked to ruin.

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

will himself also call out and not be answered. l

14 A secret gift soothes anger,

and a covert bribe, m fierce rage. n

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous

but a terror to those who practice iniquity. o

16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom

will come to rest

in the assembly of the departed spirits. p

17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;

whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. q

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous, for r the upright. s

19 Better to live in a wilderness

than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. t

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,

but a foolish man consumes them. u v

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love

will find life, righteousness, and honor. w

22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down its secure fortress. x

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble. y

24 The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,”

acts with excessive pride. z

25 A slacker’s craving will kill him

because his hands refuse to work. a

26 He is filled with craving b all day long,

but the righteous give and don’t hold back. c

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—

how much more so

when he brings it with ulterior motives! d

28 A lying witness will perish, e

but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, f

but the upright man considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel

will prevail against the Lord. g

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, h

but victory comes from the Lord. i