Top of Page
Page Style
He directs its path wherever He chooses.
2 All the ways of a man seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the lamp of the heart—is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 A fortune gained by a lying tongue
is a fleeting mist and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away
because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty man is crooked,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on a corner of the rooftop
than to share a large house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The wicked person craves evil;
his neighbour receives no mercy from him.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
when the wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 The Righteous One takes notice of the house of the wicked;
He brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies fierce rage.
15 When justice is done it is a joy to the righteous
but a source of dismay to evildoers.
16 The man who wanders from the path of understanding
will end up at rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will become end up poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.
18 The wicked will become a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous, for the upright.
19 Better to live in a parched wilderness
than with a quarrelsome and hot-tempered wife.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man devours all he has.
21 He who pursues righteousness and steadfast love
will find life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man conquers the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from trouble.
24 A proud and haughty man, named “Mocker”
acts with arrogant pride.
25 The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him,
for his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he is filled with craving,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable,
how much more so when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A false witness will perish,
but the word of the man who listens will endure.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright gives thought to his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
that can prevail against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory comes from the Lord.