¶ The king's¹ heart is in the hand of the LORD, as² the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

¶ Every way of a man is right³ in his own eyes: but the LORD⁴ pondereth the hearts.

¶⁵To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

¶ An high look⁶, and a proud heart, and the⁷ plowing of the wicked⁸, is sin.

¶ The thoughts⁹ of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every¹⁰ one that is hasty only to want.

¶ The getting¹¹ of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek¹² death.

¶ The robbery¹³ of the wicked shall destroy them;¹⁴ because¹⁵ they refuse to do judgment.

¶ The way¹⁶ of man is froward and strange: but¹⁷ as for the pure, his work is right.

¶ It is better¹⁸ to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house¹⁹.

¶ The soul²⁰ of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour²¹ in his eyes.

¶ When the scorner²² is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise²³ is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

¶ The righteous man wisely²⁴ considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth²⁵ the wicked for their wickedness.

¶ Whoso stoppeth²⁶ his ears at²⁷ the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself,²⁸ but shall not be heard.

¶ A gift²⁹ in secret³⁰ pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

¶ It is joy³¹ to the just to do judgment: but destruction³² shall be to the workers of iniquity.

¶ The man that wandereth³³ out of the way of understanding shall remain³⁴ in the congregation of the dead.

¶ He that loveth³⁵ pleasure³⁶ shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

¶ The wicked³⁷ shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

¶ It is better³⁸ to dwell in the wilderness³⁹, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

¶ There is treasure⁴⁰ to be desired and oil⁴¹ in the dwelling of the wise; but⁴² a foolish man spendeth it up.

¶ He that⁴³ followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth⁴⁴ life, righteousness, and honour.

¶⁴⁵A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

¶⁴⁶Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

¶ Proud and haughty⁴⁷ scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath⁴⁸.

¶⁴⁹The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

He coveteth⁵⁰ greedily all the day long: but the righteous⁵¹ giveth and spareth not.

¶ The sacrifice⁵² of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind⁵³?

¶ A false witness⁵⁴ shall perish: but the man⁵⁵ that heareth speaketh constantly.

¶ A wicked man hardeneth⁵⁶ his face: but as for the upright, he directeth⁵⁷ his way.

¶⁵⁸There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

The horse⁵⁹ is prepared against the day of battle: but⁶⁰ safety⁶¹ is of the LORD.