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[1] The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he will.
[2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
[3] To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
[4] Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
[5] The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
[6] The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
[7] The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
[8] The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is right.
[9] It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
[10] The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
[11] When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
[12] The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
the wicked are cast down to ruin.
[13] He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself cry out and not be heard.
[14] A gift in secret averts anger;
and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
[15] When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous,
but dismay to evildoers.
[16] A man who wanders from the way of understanding
will rest in the assembly of the dead.
[17] He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
[18] The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
and the faithless for the upright.
[19] It is better to live in a desert land
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
[20] Precious treasure remains in a wise man’s dwelling,
but a foolish man devours it.
[21] He who pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life and honor.
[22] A wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
[23] He who keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
[24] “Scoffer” is the name of the proud, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
[25] The desire of the sluggard kills him
for his hands refuse to labor.
[26] All day long the wicked covets,
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
[27] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
[28] A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
[29] A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but an upright man considers his ways.
[30] No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel,
can avail against the LORD.
[31] The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the LORD.
The Book of Proverbs is provided for non-commercial purposes by the University of Pennsylvania Center for Computer Analysis of Texts. Licensing information can be found here.
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