1
We can make our own plans,
but the Lord gives the right answer.
2
People may be pure in their own eyes,
but the Lord examines their motives.
3
Commit your actions to the Lord ,
and your plans will succeed.
4
The Lord has made everything for his own purposes,
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5
The Lord detests the proud;
they will surely be punished.
6
Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
By fearing the Lord , people avoid evil.
7
When people’s lives please the Lord ,
even their enemies are at peace with them.
8
Better to have little, with godliness,
than to be rich and dishonest.
9
We can make our plans,
but the Lord determines our steps.
10
The king speaks with divine wisdom;
he must never judge unfairly.
11
The Lord demands accurate scales and balances;
he sets the standards for fairness.
12
A king detests wrongdoing,
for his rule is built on justice.
13
The king is pleased with words from righteous lips;
he loves those who speak honestly.
14
The anger of the king is a deadly threat;
the wise will try to appease it.
15
When the king smiles, there is life;
his favor refreshes like a spring rain.
16
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
and good judgment than silver!
17
The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
whoever follows that path is safe.
18
Pride goes before destruction,
and haughtiness before a fall.
19
Better to live humbly with the poor
than to share plunder with the proud.
20
Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
21
The wise are known for their understanding,
and pleasant words are persuasive.
22
Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
but discipline is wasted on fools.
23
From a wise mind comes wise speech;
the words of the wise are persuasive.
24
Kind words are like honey -
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
25
There is a path before each person that seems right,
but it ends in death.
26
It is good for workers to have an appetite;
an empty stomach drives them on.
27
Scoundrels create trouble;
their words are a destructive blaze.
28
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
gossip separates the best of friends.
29
Violent people mislead their companions,
leading them down a harmful path.
30
With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;
with a smirk, they plan their mischief.
31
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained by living a godly life.
32
Better to be patient than powerful;
better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33
We may throw the dice, 1
but the Lord determines how they fall.