1 People make plans in their hearts. But the Lord controls what they say.
2 Everything a man does might seem right to him. But the Lord knows what that man is thinking.
3 Commit to the Lord everything you do. Then your plans will succeed.
4 The Lord works everything out for his own purposes. Even those who do wrong were made for a day of trouble.
5 The Lord hates all those who have proud hearts. You can be sure that they will be punished.
6 Through love and truth sin is paid for. People avoid evil when they have respect for the Lord.
7 When the way you live pleases the Lord, he makes even your enemies live at peace with you.
8 It is better to have a little and do right than to have a lot and be unfair.
9 In your heart you plan your life. But the Lord decides where your steps will take you.
10 A king might speak as if his words come from God. But what he says should not turn right into wrong.
11 Honest scales and balances come from the Lord. He made all of the weights in the bag.
12 A king hates it when his people do what is wrong. A ruler is made secure when they do what is right.
13 Kings are pleased when what you say is honest. They value people who speak the truth.
14 An angry king can order your death. But a wise man will try to calm him down.
15 When a king's face is happy, it means life. His favor is like rain in the spring.
16 It is much better to get wisdom than gold. It is much better to choose understanding than silver.
17 The path of honest people takes them away from evil. Those who guard their ways guard their lives.
18 If you are proud, you will be destroyed. If you are proud, you will fall.
19 Suppose you are lowly in spirit and are with those who are beaten down. That's better than sharing stolen goods with those who are proud.
20 If anyone pays attention to what he is taught, he will succeed. Blessed is the person who puts his trust in the Lord.
21 Wise hearts are known for understanding what is right. Pleasant words make people want to learn more.
22 Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it. But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.
23 The hearts of wise people guide their mouths. Their words make people want to learn more.
24 Pleasant words are like honey. They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.
25 There is a way that may seem right to a man. But in the end it leads to death.
26 The hunger of a worker makes him work. His hunger drives him on.
27 A worthless man plans to do evil things. His words are like a burning fire.
28 A twisted person stirs up fights. Anyone who talks about others comes between close friends.
29 A man who wants to hurt others tries to get them to sin. He leads them down a path that isn't good.
30 When he winks with his eyes, he is planning to do wrong. When his lips are tightly closed, he is up to no good.
31 Gray hair is a glorious crown. You get it by living the right way.
32 It is better to be patient than to fight. It is better to control your temper than to take a city.