but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2
All a man's ways seem innocent to him,
but
motives are weighed by the
LORD.
3
Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
and your plans will succeed.
4
The LORD works out everything for his own ends—
even the wicked for a day of disaster.
5
The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.
6
Through
love and faithfulness
sin is atoned for;
through
the fear of the LORD
a man avoids
evil.
7
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with
him.
8
Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.
9
In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps.
10
The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
and his mouth should not betray justice.
11
Honest scales and balances are from the
LORD;
all the weights in the bag are of his making.
12
Kings detest wrongdoing,
for a throne is established through
righteousness.
13
Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
they value a man who speaks the truth.
14
A king's wrath is a messenger of death,
but a wise man will appease it.
15
When a king's face brightens, it means life;
his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
16
How much better to get wisdom than gold,
to choose understanding rather than silver!
17
The highway of the upright avoids evil;
he who guards his way guards his life.
18
Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
1 (see:John Lennon below)
19
Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
20
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is
he who trusts in the LORD.
21
The wise in heart are called discerning,
and pleasant words promote instruction.2
22
Understanding is a fountain of life to those who
have it,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23
A wise man's heart guides his mouth,
and his lips promote instruction.3
24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but in the end it leads to death.
26
The laborer's appetite works for him;
his hunger drives him on.
27
A scoundrel plots evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28
A perverse man stirs up dissension,
and a gossip separates close friends.
29
A violent man entices his neighbor
and leads him down a path that is not good.
30
He who winks with his eye is plotting perversity;
he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
31
Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
it is attained by a righteous life.
32
Better a patient man than a warrior,
a man who controls his temper than one who
takes a city.
33
The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the LORD.
Footnotes:
1 verse 18 John Lennon 'samples' this
Scripture in the song:
I'm a Loser.
2 verse 21 Or words make a man persuasive
3 verse 23 Or mouth / and makes his lips persuasive