Read the Bible

Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

¹ The ^(C1)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 ^(C1)LORD weighs and examines the motives and intents of the heart and knows the truth. ^(VR1)

^3 (F1)(C1)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 ^(C1)has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the ^(C2)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. ^(VR1)

⁶ By ^(C1)mercy and lovingkindness and truth not superficial ritual wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the ^(C2)fear of the LORD one avoids evil.

⁷ When a man's ways please the LORD,
He ^(C1)makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

⁸ Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income gained with injustice. ^(VR1)

⁹ A ^(C1)man's mind plans his way as he journeys through life,
But ^(C2)the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. ^(VR1)

¹⁰ A divine ^(C1)decision given by God is on the lips of the king as His representative;
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment. ^(VR1)

¹¹ A ^(C1)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 ^(C1)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 ^(C1)spring rain.

¹⁶ How much ^(C1)better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. ^(VR1)

¹⁷ The ^(C1)highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;
He who guards his way protects his life (soul).

^18 (C1)Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ It is better to be ^(C1)humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to ^(C2)divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).

²⁰ He who pays attention to the word of God will ^(C1)find good,
And ^(C2)blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts confidently in the LORD.

²¹ The ^(C1)wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech ^(C2)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 ^(C1)heart of the wise instructs his mouth in wisdom
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

^24 (C1)Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and ^(C2)healing to the body.

^25 (C1)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 ^(C1)worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a ^(C2)scorching fire.

²⁸ A perverse man spreads strife,
And one who gossips separates intimate friends. ^(VR1)

²⁹ A violent and exceedingly covetous man ^(C1)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 ^(C1)silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It ^(C2)is found in the way of righteousness. ^(VR1)

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 ^(C1)lot is cast into the lap,
^(F1)But its every ^(C2)decision is from the LORD.