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but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 The ways of a man seem right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs up his motives.
3 Commit whatever you do to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord works out everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.
5 Everyone who is proud of heart is detestable to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 Through loving faithfulness iniquity is atoned for;
and by the fear of the Lord a man turns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great income with injustice.
9 In his heart a man plans his way,
but the Lord determines his steps.
10 A divine directive comes from the lips of a king,
and his mouth should not transgress in judgment.
11 Honest balances and scales are from the Lord;
all the weights in the bag are His concern.
12 Wrong doing is detestable to kings,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
and he loves those who speak the truth.
14 The king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.
15 When a king’s face lights up, it means life;
his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold,
and to choose understanding rather than silver.
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way protects his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better to be lowly in spirit and among the humble
than to divide plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever takes heed of instruction will find success
and happy is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 One wise in heart is called perceptive,
and pleasant words promote learning.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to him who possesses it,
but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth,
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.
26 The labourer’s appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.
27 A devious man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man stirs up strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbour,
and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He who winks with his eye devises perverse things;
he who compresses his lips brings about evil.
31 A gray head is a crown of glory;
it is attained by a righteous life.
32 Better a patient man than one who is warlike,
better a man who controls his temper than one who captures a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.