16 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
² 
All the ways of a man are clean and innocent in his own eyes [and he may see nothing wrong with his actions],
But the Lord weighs and examines the motives and intents [of the heart and knows the truth].^(A)
3 
[a]Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].
⁴ 
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.
⁵ 
Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord;
Be assured he will not go unpunished.^(B)
6 
By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.
⁷ 
When a man’s ways please the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
⁸ 
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice.^(C)
9 
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.^(D)
10 
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.^(E)
11 
A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord’s;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].
¹² 
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).
¹³ 
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
¹⁴ 
The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
¹⁵ 
In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.
¹⁶ 
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.^(F)
17 
The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;
He who guards his way protects his life (soul).
¹⁸ 
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
¹⁹ 
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).
²⁰ 
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.
²¹ 
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
²² 
Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it,
But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness.
²³ 
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
²⁴ 
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
²⁵ 
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
²⁶ 
The appetite of a worker works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
²⁷ 
A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.
²⁸ 
A perverse man spreads strife,
And one who gossips separates intimate friends.^(G)
29 
A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],
And leads him in a way that is not good.
³⁰ 
He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things;
And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass.
³¹ 
The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness.^(H)
32 
He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier],
And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city.
³³ 
The lot is cast into the lap,
^[b]But its every decision is from the Lord.