¶ The preparations¹ of the heart in man, and² the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

¶ All the ways³ of a man are clean in his own eyes; but⁴ the LORD weigheth the spirits.

¶ Commit⁵ thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts⁶ shall be established.

¶ The LORD⁷ hath made all things for himself: yea,⁸ even the wicked for the day of evil.

¶ Every one that⁹ is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though¹⁰ hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished¹¹.

¶ By mercy¹² and truth iniquity is purged: and by the¹³ fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

¶ When a man's ways please¹⁴ the LORD, he¹⁵ maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

¶ Better is¹⁶ a little with righteousness than great¹⁷ revenues without right.

¶¹⁸A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

¶ A divine sentence¹⁹ is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth²⁰ not in judgment.

¶ A just²¹ weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights²² of the bag are his work.

¶ It is an²³ abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for²⁴ the throne is established by righteousness.

¶²⁵Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

¶ The wrath²⁶ of a king is as messengers²⁷ of death: but²⁸ a wise man will pacify it.

In the light²⁹ of the king's countenance is life; and his³⁰ favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.

¶³¹How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!

¶ The highway³² of the upright is to depart from evil: he³³ that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.

¶³⁴Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

¶ Better it is to be³⁵ of an humble spirit with the lowly, than³⁶ to divide the spoil with the proud.

¶ He that handleth³⁷ a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso³⁸ trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

¶ The wise³⁹ in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness⁴⁰ of the lips increaseth learning.

¶ Understanding is a wellspring⁴¹ of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction⁴² of fools is folly.

¶ The heart⁴³ of the wise teacheth⁴⁴ his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

¶ Pleasant⁴⁵ words are as an⁴⁶ honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health⁴⁷ to the bones.

¶⁴⁸There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

¶ He⁴⁹ that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him⁵⁰.

¶ An ungodly man⁵¹ diggeth⁵² up evil: and in⁵³ his lips there is as a burning fire.

A froward⁵⁴ man soweth⁵⁵ strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

¶⁵⁶A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.

¶ He shutteth⁵⁷ his eyes to devise froward things: moving⁵⁸ his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

¶ The hoary⁵⁹ head is a crown of glory, if⁶⁰ it be found in the way of righteousness.

¶ He that is⁶¹ slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he⁶² that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

¶⁶³The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.