The King’s Heart in Yahweh’s Hand
1A king’s heart is a stream of water in Yahweh’s hand; he turns it wherever he pleases. 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs hearts. 3To do righteousness and justice is chosen by Yahweh above sacrifice. 4Haughty eyes and a swollen heart—the lamp of the wicked is sin. 5The plans of the diligent lead only to profit; all haste leads only to want. 6Making a fortune with a lying tongue is a breath blown away—and a hunt for death. 7The violence of the wicked drags them off, because they refuse to do justice. 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 10The soul of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11When the scoffer is punished, the simple grow wise; when the wise is instructed, he gains knowledge. 12The Righteous One watches the house of the wicked and topples the wicked into ruin.
The Cry of the Poor
13Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and go unanswered. 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a bribe slipped under the cloak, fierce wrath. 15Doing justice is joy to the righteous, but ruin to those who do wrong. 16A man who strays from the way of good sense will come to rest in the assembly of the shades. 17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not grow rich. 18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous takes the place of the upright. 19Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful wife. 20Precious treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, but a fool swallows them down. 21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor. 22A wise man scales the city of warriors and brings down the stronghold they trusted. 23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his life from troubles. 24Insolent, arrogant—“Scoffer” is his name; he acts in a fury of pride.
The Sluggard’s Craving
25The craving of the sluggard kills him, because his hands refuse to work. 26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—how much more when he brings it with a scheme. 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens will have the last word. 29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his way. 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can stand against Yahweh. 31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.
