1 The reflections of the heart belong to mankind,

but the answer of the tongue is from the  Lord.  *

2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs motives.  *,*

3 Commit your activities to the  Lord,

and your plans will be established.  *

4 The Lord has prepared everything for his purpose —

even the wicked for the day of disaster.  *

5 Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the  Lord;  *

be assured,  * he will not go unpunished.  *

6 Iniquity is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,  *

and one turns from evil by the fear of the  Lord.  *

7 When a person’s ways please the  Lord,

he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.  *

8 Better a little with righteousness

than great income with injustice.  *

9 A person’s heart plans his way,

but the Lord determines his steps.  *

10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;  *,*

his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.  *

11 Honest balances and scales are the  Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his concern.  *

12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings,  *

since a throne is established through righteousness.  *

13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,

and he loves one who speaks honestly.

14 A king’s fury is a messenger of death,

but a wise person appeases it.  *

15 When a king’s face lights up, there is life;

his favor is like a cloud with spring rain.

16 Get wisdom —

how much better it is than gold!

And get understanding —

it is preferable to silver.  *

17 The highway of the upright  * avoids evil;

the one who guards his way protects his life.  *

18 Pride comes before destruction,

and an arrogant spirit before a fall.  *

19 Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble  *,*

than to divide plunder with the proud.  *

20 The one who understands a matter finds success,  *

and the one who trusts in the  Lord will be happy.  *

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speech  * increases learning.  *

22 Insight is a fountain of life  * for its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;

it adds learning to his speech.  *,*

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:  *

sweet to the taste  * and health to the body.  *,*

25 There is a way that seems right to a person,

but its end is the way to death.  *

26 A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger  * urges him on.

27 A worthless person digs up evil,

and his speech is like a scorching fire.  *

28 A contrary person spreads conflict,

and a gossip separates close friends.  *

29 A violent person lures his neighbor,  *

leading him on a path that is not good.  *

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;

the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.  *

31 Gray hair is a glorious crown;  *

it is found in the ways of righteousness.  *

32 Patience is better than power,

and controlling one’s emotions,  * than capturing a city.  *

33 The lot is cast into the lap,

but its every decision is from the  Lord.  *