16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.^(A)
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.^(B)
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
    even the wicked for the day of trouble.^(C)
5 All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, they will not go unpunished.^(D)
6 By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.^(E)
7 When the ways of people please the Lord,
    he causes even their enemies to be at peace with them.^(F)
8 Better is a little with righteousness
    than large income with injustice.
⁹ The human mind plans the way,
    but the Lord directs the steps.^(G)
10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.
¹¹ Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.^(H)
12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil,
    for the throne is established by righteousness.^(I)
13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves those who speak what is right.^(J)
14 A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,
    and whoever is wise will appease it.^(K)
15 In the light of a king’s face there is life,
    and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.^(L)
16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.^(M)
17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their way preserve their lives.
¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction
    and a haughty spirit before a fall.^(N)
19 It is better to be of a lowly spirit among the poor
    than to divide the spoil with the proud.
²⁰ Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
    and happy are those who trust in the Lord.^(O)
21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
    but folly is the punishment of fools.^(P)
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
²⁵ Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,
    but in the end it is the way to death.^(Q)
26 The appetite of workers works for them;
    their hunger urges them on.
²⁷ Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.^(R)
28 A perverse person spreads strife,
    and a whisperer separates close friends.^(S)
29 The violent entice their neighbors
    and lead them in a way that is not good.^(T)
30 One who winks the eyes plans^[a] perverse things;
    one who compresses the lips brings evil to pass.
³¹ Gray hair is a crown of glory;
    it is gained in a righteous life.^(U)
32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.^(V)
33 The lot is cast into the lap,
    but the decision is the Lord’s alone.