16 People may make plans in their minds,
    but only the Lord can make them come true.

² You may believe you are doing right,
    but the Lord will judge your reasons.

³ Depend on the Lord in whatever you do,
    and your plans will succeed.

⁴ The Lord makes everything go as he pleases.
    He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people.

⁵ The Lord hates those who are proud.
    They will surely be punished.

⁶ Love and truth bring forgiveness of sin.
    By respecting the Lord you will avoid evil.

⁷ When people live so that they please the Lord,
    even their enemies will make peace with them.

⁸ It is better to be poor and right
    than to be wealthy and dishonest.

⁹ People may make plans in their minds,
    but the Lord decides what they will do.

¹⁰ The words of a king are like a message from God,
    so his decisions should be fair.

¹¹ The Lord wants honest balances and scales;
    all the weights are his work.

¹² Kings hate those who do wrong,
    because governments only continue if they are fair.

¹³ Kings like honest people;
    they value someone who speaks the truth.

¹⁴ An angry king can put someone to death,
    so a wise person will try to make him happy.

¹⁵ A smiling king can give people life;
    his kindness is like a spring shower.

¹⁶ It is better to get wisdom than gold,
    and to choose understanding rather than silver!

¹⁷ Good people stay away from evil.
    By watching what they do, they protect their lives.

¹⁸ Pride leads to destruction;
    a proud attitude brings ruin.

¹⁹ It is better to be humble and be with those who suffer
    than to share stolen property with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed,
    and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.

²¹ The wise are known for their understanding.
    Their pleasant words make them better teachers.

²² Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it,
    but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

²³ Wise people’s minds tell them what to say,
    and that helps them be better teachers.

²⁴ Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    making people happy and healthy.

²⁵ Some people think they are doing right,
    but in the end it leads to death.

²⁶ The workers’ hunger helps them,
    because their desire to eat makes them work.

²⁷ Useless people make evil plans,
    and their words are like a burning fire.

²⁸ A useless person causes trouble,
    and a gossip ruins friendships.

²⁹ Cruel people trick their neighbors
    and lead them to do wrong.

³⁰ Someone who winks is planning evil,
    and the one who grins is planning something wrong.

³¹ Gray hair is like a crown of honor;
    it is earned by living a good life.

³² Patience is better than strength.
    Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.

³³ People throw lots to make a decision,
    but the answer comes from the Lord.