1The plans of the heart belong to man ; But the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah . 2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes ; But Jehovah weigheth the spirits . 3Commit thy works unto Jehovah , And thy purposes shall be established . 4Jehovah hath made everything for its own end; Yea , even the wicked for the day of evil . 5Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah : Though hand join in hand , he shall not be unpunished . 6By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for ; And by the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil . 7When a man’s ways please Jehovah , He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him . 8Better is a little , with righteousness , Than great revenues with injustice . 9A man ’s heart deviseth his way ; But Jehovah directeth his steps .
The Importance of Righteousness
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king ; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment . 11A just balance and scales are Jehovah ’s; All the weights of the bag are his work . 12It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness ; For the throne is established by righteousness . 13Righteous lips are the delight of kings ; And they love him that speaketh right . 14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death ; But a wise man will pacify it . 15In the light of the king ’s countenance is life ; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain .
The Value of Wisdom and Understanding
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold ! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver . 17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil : He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul . 18Pride goeth before destruction , And a haughty spirit before a fall . 19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor , Than to divide the spoil with the proud . 20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good ; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah , happy is he . 21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning . 22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly. 23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth , And addeth learning to his lips . 24Pleasant words are as a honeycomb , Sweet to the soul , and health to the bones .
The Consequences of Pride and Arrogance
25There is a way which seemeth right unto a man , But the end thereof are the ways of death . 26The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him ; For his mouth urgeth him thereto . 27A worthless man deviseth mischief ; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire. 28A perverse man scattereth abroad strife ; And a whisperer separateth chief friends . 29A man of violence enticeth his neighbor , And leadeth him in a way that is not good . 30He that shutteth his eyes , it is to devise perverse things : He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass . 31The hoary head is a crown of glory ; It shall be found in the way of righteousness . 32He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty ; And he that ruleth his spirit , than he that taketh a city . 33The lot is cast into the lap ; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah .