1 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the  Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever he chooses.  *

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

but the Lord weighs hearts.  *

3 Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the  Lord than sacrifice.  *

4 The lamp that guides the wicked —

haughty eyes and an arrogant heart  *  — is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,

but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.  *

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist,  * a pursuit of death.  *,*,*

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away

because they refuse to act justly.

8 A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,  *

but the behavior of the innocent is upright.  *

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof

than to share a house with a nagging wife.  *

10 A wicked person desires evil;

he has no consideration  * for his neighbor.  *

11 When a mocker is punished,

the inexperienced become wiser;

when one teaches a wise man,

he acquires knowledge.  *

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.  *

14 A secret gift soothes anger,

and a covert bribe, fierce rage.  *

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous

but a terror to evildoers.  *

16 The person who strays from the way of prudence

will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.  *

17 The one who loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.  *

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous, for  *  the upright.  *

19 Better to live in a wilderness

than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.  *

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

but a fool consumes them.  *,*

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love

will find life, righteousness, and honor.  *

22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down its secure fortress.  *

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.  *

24 The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker,"

acts with excessive arrogance.  *

25 A slacker’s craving will kill him

because his hands refuse to work.  *

26 He is filled with craving  * all day long,

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

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable —

how much more so

when he brings it with ulterior motives!  *

28 A lying witness will perish,  *

but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked person puts on a bold face,  *

but the upright one considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel

will prevail against the  Lord.  *

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

but victory comes from the  Lord.  *