Read the Bible

¹ We may make our plans, but God has the last word.^[a]

² You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives.

³ Ask the Lord to bless your plans, and you will be successful in carrying them out.

⁴ Everything the Lord has made has its destiny; and the destiny of the wicked is destruction.

⁵ The Lord hates everyone who is arrogant; he will never let them escape punishment.

^6 (a)Be loyal and faithful, and God will forgive your sin. Obey the Lord and nothing evil will happen to you.

⁷ When you please the Lord, you can make^[b] your enemies into friends.

^8 (b)It is better to have a little, honestly earned, than to have a large income, dishonestly gained.

⁹ You may make your plans, but God directs your actions.

¹⁰ The king speaks with divine authority; his decisions are always right.

¹¹ The Lord wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.

¹² Kings cannot tolerate evil,^[c] because justice is what makes a government strong.

¹³ A king wants to hear the truth and will favor those who speak it.

¹⁴ A wise person will try to keep the king happy; if the king becomes angry, someone may die.

¹⁵ The king's favor is like the clouds that bring rain in the springtime—life is there.

¹⁶ It is better—much better—to have wisdom and knowledge than gold and silver.

¹⁷ Those who are good travel a road that avoids evil; so watch where you are going—it may save your life.

¹⁸ Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

¹⁹ It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot.

²⁰ Pay attention to what you are taught, and you will be successful; trust in the Lord and you will be happy.

²¹ A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.

²² Wisdom is a fountain of life to the wise, but trying to educate stupid people is a waste of time.

²³ Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.

²⁴ Kind words are like honey—sweet to the taste and good for your health.

^25 (c)What you think is the right road may lead to death.

²⁶ A laborer's appetite makes him work harder, because he wants to satisfy his hunger.

²⁷ Evil people look for ways to harm others; even their words burn with evil.

^28 (d)Gossip is spread by wicked people; they stir up trouble and break up friendships.

²⁹ Violent people deceive their friends and lead them to disaster.

³⁰ Watch out for people who grin and wink at you; they have thought of something evil.

³¹ Long life is the reward of the righteous; gray hair is a glorious crown.

³² It is better to be patient than powerful. It is better to win control over yourself than over whole cities.

³³ People cast lots to learn God's will, but God himself determines the answer.