| 1 Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases. |
| 2 All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts. |
| 3 To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice. |
| 4 Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin. |
| 5 The hardworking is thoughtful, and al is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want. |
| 6 To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue: such is the idle fantasy of those who look for death. |
| 7 The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right. |
| 8 The way of the felon is devious, the conduct of the innocent straight. |
| 9 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman. |
| 10 The soul of the wicked is intent on evil, to such a person no neighbour can ever do right. |
| 11 When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledgeby instruction. |
| 12 The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction. |
| 13 Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, wil in turn plead and not be heard. |
| 14 Anger is mol ified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak. |
| 15 Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror. |
| 16 Whoever strays far from the way of prudence wil rest in the assembly of shadows. |
| 17 Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one wil grow rich who loves wine and good living. |
| 18 The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest. |
| 19 Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman. |
| 20 The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both. |
| 21 Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour. |
| 22 A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied. |
| 23 Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster. |
| 24 Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour. |
| 25 The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands wil do no work. |
| 26 Al day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing. |
| 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent, above al if it is offered for bad motives. |
| 28 The false witness wil perish, but no one who knows how to listen wil ever be silenced. |
| 29 The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm. |
| 30 No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh. |
| 31 Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's. |
