Various observations of moral virtues and their contrary vices.
1. The aking's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2. bEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes: cbut the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3. To ddo justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4. 1An ehigh look, and a proud heart, and 2the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5. The fthoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6. The ggetting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7. The hrobbery of the wicked shall 3destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8. The iway of man is *froward and strange: jbut as for the pure, his work is right.
9. It is kbetter to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with 4a brawling woman in 5a wide house.
10. The lsoul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour 6findeth no favour in his eyes.
11. When mthe scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12. The nrighteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: obut God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13. pWhoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14. A qgift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15. It is rjoy to the just to do judgment: sbut destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16. The tman that wandereth out of the way of understanding ushall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17. He vthat loveth 7pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18. The wwicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19. It is xbetter to dwell 8in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20. There is ytreasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; zbut a foolish man spendeth it up.
21. He athat followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22. A bwise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23. cWhoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24. dProud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth 9in proud wrath.
25. The edesire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26. He fcoveteth greedily all the day long: but the grighteous giveth and spareth not.
27. The hsacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it 10with a wicked mind?
28. 11A ifalse witness shall perish: jbut the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29. A kwicked man hardeneth his face: lbut as for the upright, he 12directeth his way.
30. There is mno wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31. The nhorse is prepared against the day of battle: but 13safety is of the LORD.
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.