Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,

But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord .

²All 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]. [1 Sam 16:7; Heb 4:12]

³Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],[#16:3 Lit Roll .]

And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

⁴The Lord has made everything for its own purpose,

Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.

⁵Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the Lord ;

Be assured he will not go unpunished. [Prov 8:13; 11:20, 21]

⁶By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,

And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.

⁷When a man’s ways please the Lord ,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸Better is a little with righteousness

Than great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16]

⁹A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],

But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24; Jer 10:23]

¹⁰A 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. [Deut 17:18-20; 2 Sam 14:17-20; 1 Kin 3:9-12; Is 11:2]

¹¹A just balance and [honest] scales are the Lord ’s ;

All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].

¹²It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,

For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

¹³Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And he who speaks right is loved.

¹⁴The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,

But a wise man will appease it.

¹⁵In the light of the king’s face is life,

And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.

¹⁶How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!

And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Prov 8:10, 19]

¹⁷The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;

He who guards his way protects his life (soul).

¹⁸Pride goes before destruction,

And a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly

Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

²⁰He 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 .

²¹The wise in heart will be called understanding,

And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

²²Understanding (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.

²³The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

²⁴Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

²⁵There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,

But its end is the way of death.

²⁶The appetite of a worker works for him,

For his hunger urges him on.

²⁷A worthless man devises and digs up evil,

And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

²⁸A perverse man spreads strife,

And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9]

²⁹A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],

And leads him in a way that is not good.

³⁰He 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.

³¹The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;

It is found in the way of righteousness. [Prov 20:29]

³²He 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.

³³The lot is cast into the lap,

But its every decision is from the Lord .