1The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
1The plans of the heart are unto man, and from YHWH is the answer of the tongue.
2All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes,
but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, and YHWH weighs out the spirit.
3Commit your works to the LORD
and your plans will be achieved.
3Roll your works toward YHWH, and your plans will be established.
4The LORD has made everything for His purpose—
even the wicked for the day of disaster.
4YHWH has made everything for its own end—even the wicked for the day of evil.
5Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD;
be assured that he will not go unpunished.
5An abomination to YHWH is everyone high of heart; hand to hand, he will not be acquitted.
6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of YHWH one turns aside from evil.
7When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
7When the ways of a man please YHWH, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8Better a little with righteousness
than great gain with injustice.
8Better is a little with righteousness than an abundance of increase without justice.
9A man’s heart plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
9The heart of man plans his way, and YHWH establishes his step.
10A divine verdict is on the lips of a king;
his mouth must not betray justice.
10Divination is on the lips of the king; in judgment his mouth shall not be unfaithful.
11Honest scales and balances are from the LORD;
all the weights in the bag are His concern.
11A balance and scales of justice are unto YHWH; all the stones of the bag are His work.
12Wicked behavior is detestable for kings,
for a throne is established through righteousness.
12An abomination to kings is to commit wickedness, for by righteousness a throne is established.
13Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
13Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings, and one speaking uprightly he loves.
14The wrath of a king is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will pacify it.
14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, and a wise man will appease it.
15When a king’s face brightens, there is life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
15In the light of the face of a king is life, and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain.
16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold!
To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
16To acquire wisdom—how much better than gold! And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver!
17The highway of the upright leads away from evil;
he who guards his way protects his life.
17The highway of the upright ones turns aside from evil; one guarding his soul watches over his way.
18Pride goes before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall.
18Before the face of breaking is pride, and before a fall is a haughty spirit.
19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble
than to divide the spoil with the proud.
19Better to be lowly spirit among the poor, than to divide plunder with proud ones.
20Whoever heeds instruction will find success,a
and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
20One acting wisely concerning a matter will find good, and one trusting in YHWH is blessed.
21The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
21The one wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases learning.
22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.
22A fountain of life is understanding to its owners, and the discipline of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
23The heart of the wise causes his mouth to act wisely, and upon his lips he increases learning.
24Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
24Words of pleasantness are a comb of honey—sweet to the soul and healing to the bone.
25There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way of death.
25There is a way right before the face of a man, and its end is the way of death.
26A worker’s appetite works for him
because his hunger drives him onward.
26The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth presses him onward.
27A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speecha is like a scorching fire.
27A man of worthlessness digs up evil, and upon his lips it is like a fire burning.
28A perverse man spreads dissension,
and a gossip divides close friends.
28A man of perversity sends out strife, and a murmurer is separating a close friend.
29A violent man entices his neighbor
and leads him down a path that is not good.
29A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good.
30He who winks his eye devises perversity;
he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
30Winking his eyes to devise perversity, pursing his lips, he has accomplished evil.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is attained along the path of righteousness.
31Grey hair is a crown of glory; along the path of righteousness it is found.
32He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior,
and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
32Better is one slow to anger than a mighty one, and one ruling over his spirit than one taking a city.
33The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
33Into the lap the lot is cast, and all its judgment is from YHWH.