21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the 1rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 aEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes,

bBut the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 cTo do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 dA haughty look, a proud heart,

And the 2plowing of the wicked are sin.

5 eThe plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6 fGetting treasures by a lying tongue

3Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked will 4destroy them,

Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of 5a guilty man is perverse;

But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with ga contentious woman.

10 hThe soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;

But when the iwise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,

Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 jWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,

And a bribe 6behind the back, strong wrath.

15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,

But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding

Will rest in the assembly of the kdead.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,

And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell 7in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 lThere is desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

21 mHe who follows righteousness and mercy

Finds life, righteousness and honor.

22 A nwise man 8scales the city of the mighty,

And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 oWhoever guards his mouth and tongue

Keeps his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;

He acts with arrogant pride.

25 The pdesire of the lazy man kills him,

For his hands refuse to labor.

26 He covets greedily all day long,

But the righteous qgives and does not spare.

27 rThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28 A false witness shall perish,

But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29 A wicked man hardens his face,

But as for the upright, he 9establishes his way.

30 sThere is no wisdom or understanding

Or counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But tdeliverance is of the Lord.