1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. 8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. 9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. 13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. 15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. 18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. 19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. 20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. 21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. 26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. 29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

1 Die koning se hart is in die hand van die HERE soos waterstrome: Hy lei dit waarheen Hy wil.

2 Elke weg van 'n mens is reg in sy oë, maar die HERE toets die harte.

3 Om geregtigheid en reg te doen, is vir die HERE verkiesliker as offers.

4 Hoogheid van oë en trotsheid van hart -- die glans van die goddelose is sonde.

5 Die planne van die vlytige is net tot voordeel, maar elkeen wat oorhaastig is, kom net tot gebrek.

6 Die verwerwing van skatte deur 'n valse tong is 'n verwaaide asem -- dodelike valstrikke.

7 Die gewelddadigheid van die goddelose sleep hulle weg, want hulle weier om reg te doen.

8 Gekronkeld is die weg van 'n skuldige mens; maar die reine -- sy handeling is reg.

9 Dit is beter om op die hoek van 'n dak te woon as by 'n twisgierige vrou en 'n gemeenskaplike huis.

10 Die siel van die goddelose begeer die kwaad; sy naaste vind in sy oë geen genade nie.

11 As 'n mens 'n spotter straf, word die eenvoudige bedagsaam; en as 'n mens 'n wyse onderrig, neem hy self kennis aan.

12 Die regverdige let op die huis van die goddelose; Hy stort die goddelose in die ongeluk.

13 Wie sy oor toestop vir die geskreeu van die arme, hy sal self ook roep en nie verhoor word nie.

14 'n Geskenk in die geheim bring die toorn tot bedaring en 'n geskenk in die skoot die heftige woede.

15 Vreugde is dit vir die regverdige om reg te doen, maar 'n verskrikking vir die werkers van ongeregtigheid.

16 'n Mens wat afdwaal van die pad van verstand, sal in die vergadering van die skimme rus.

17 Wie van vrolikheid hou, is 'n man van gebrek; hy wat van wyn en olie hou, sal nie ryk word nie.

18 Die goddelose is 'n losprys vir die regverdige, en in die plek van die opregtes kom die ontroue.

19 Dit is beter om in 'n woeste land te woon as by 'n twisgierige vrou en ergernis.

20 'n Kosbare skat en olie is in die woning van die regverdige, maar 'n dwase mens bring dit deur.

21 Wie geregtigheid en weldadigheid najaag, sal die lewe, geregtigheid en eer vind.

22 Die wyse beklim die stad van die helde en gooi die vesting neer waar dit op vertrou.

23 Hy wat sy mond en sy tong bewaar, bewaar sy siel van benoudhede.

24 'n Vermetele, 'n trotsaard word 'n spotter genoem, een wat in oormaat van vermetelheid handel.

25 Die begeerte van die luiaard sal hom doodmaak, want sy hande weier om te werk;

26 die hele dag deur word daar dringend begeer, maar die regverdige gee en hou nie terug nie.

27 Die offer van die goddelose is 'n gruwel; hoeveel te meer as hulle dit met skandelike bedoeling bring.

28 'n Leuenagtige getuie kom om; maar 'n man wat goed toeluister, spreek vir altyd.

29 Die goddelose trek 'n onbeskaamde gesig, maar die opregte gee aan sy weë die regte rigting.

30 Daar is geen wysheid, en daar is geen verstand, en daar is geen raad teenoor die HERE nie.

31 Die perd word reggemaak vir die dag van die geveg, maar die oorwinning is deur die HERE.