The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, a proud heart, and the ploughing of the wicked are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of [ guilty man is perverse; but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.