• Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

  • 1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
  • 2 All the ways of a person are clean in his own sight, But the Lord examines the motives.
  • 3 Commit your works to the Lord, And your plans will be established.
  • 4 The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil.
  • 5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Be assured, he will not go unpunished.
  • 6 By mercy and truth atonement is made for wrongdoing, And by the fear of the Lord one keeps away from evil.
  • 7 When a person’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He causes even his enemies to make peace with him.
  • 8 Better is a little with righteousness Than great income with injustice.
  • 9 The mind of a person plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
  • 10 A divine verdict is on the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment.
  • 11 A just balance and scales belong to the Lord; All the weights of the bag are His concern.
  • 12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts, Because a throne is established on righteousness.
  • 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And one who speaks right is loved.
  • 14 The fury of a king is like messengers of death; But a wise person will appease it.
  • 15 In the light of a king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud with the spring rain.
  • 16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
  • 17 The highway of the upright is to turn away from evil; One who watches his way protects his life.
  • 18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
  • 19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the needy Than to divide the spoils with the proud.
  • 20 One who pays attention to the word will find good, And blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.
  • 21 The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
  • 22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, But the discipline of fools is foolishness.
  • 23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
  • 24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
  • 25 There is a way which seems right to a person, But its end is the way of death.
  • 26 A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on.
  • 27 A worthless person digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.
  • 28 A perverse person spreads strife, And a slanderer separates close friends.
  • 29 A person of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good.
  • 30 He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass.
  • 31 A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness.
  • 32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And one who rules his spirit, than one who captures a city.
  • 33 The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.