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¹ The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.^(a)

² All a man's ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.^[a](b)

³ Commit your activities to the Lord,
and your plans will be achieved.^(c)

⁴ The Lord has prepared everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.^(d)

⁵ Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;^(e)
be assured,^[b] he will not go unpunished.^(f)

⁶ Wickedness is atoned for by loyalty and faithfulness,^(g)
and one turns from evil by the fear of the Lord.^(h)

⁷ When a man's ways please the Lord,
He^[c] makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.⁽ⁱ⁾

⁸ Better a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.^(j)

⁹ A man's heart plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.^(k)

¹⁰ God's verdict is on the lips of a king;^[d](l)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.^(m)

¹¹ Honest balances and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag^[e] are His concern.⁽ⁿ⁾

¹² Wicked behavior^[f] is detestable to kings,^(o)
since a throne is established through righteousness.^(p)

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 man appeases it.^(q)

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.^(r)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright^(s) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.^(t)

¹⁸ Pride comes before destruction,
and an arrogant spirit before a fall.^(u)

¹⁹ Better to be lowly of spirit with the humble^[g](v)
than to divide plunder with the proud.^(w)

²⁰ The one who understands a matter finds success,^(x)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.^(y)

²¹ Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech^[h] increases learning.^(z)

²² Insight is a fountain of life^(aa) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

²³ A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech.^[i](ab)

²⁴ Pleasant words are a honeycomb:^(ac)
sweet to the taste^[j] and health to the body.^[k](ad)

²⁵ There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.^(ae)

²⁶ A worker's appetite works for him
because his hunger^[l] urges him on.

²⁷ A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.^(af)

²⁸ A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.^(ag)

²⁹ A violent man lures his neighbor,^(ah)
leading him in a way that is not good.^(ai)

³⁰ The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.^(aj)

³¹ Gray hair is a glorious crown;^(ak)
it is found in the way of righteousness.^(al)

³² Patience is better than power,
and controlling one's temper,^[m] than capturing a city.^(am)

³³ The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.^(an)