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On Life and Conduct

¹ The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He ^(C1)turns it wherever He pleases.

^2 (C1)Every person's way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD ^(C2)examines the hearts.

³ To do ^(C1)righteousness and justice
Is preferred by the LORD more than sacrifice.

⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The ^(C1)lamp of the wicked, is sin.

⁵ The plans of the ^(C1)diligent certainly lead to advantage,
But everyone ^(C2)who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.

⁶ The ^(C1)acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the ^(F1)pursuit of ^(C2)death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
Because they ^(C1)refuse to act with justice.

⁸ The way of a guilty person is ^(C1)crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

⁹ It is better to live on a corner of a roof
Than ^(F1)in a house shared with a contentious woman.

¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His ^(C1)neighbor is shown no compassion in his eyes.

¹¹ When the ^(C1)scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹² The ^(F1)righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
Bringing the ^(C1)wicked to ruin.

¹³ One who ^(C1)shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor
Will also call out himself, and not be ^(C2)answered.

¹⁴ A ^(C1)gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe ^(F1)in an inside pocket, strong wrath.

¹⁵ The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,
But ^(C1)terror to those who practice injustice.

¹⁶ A person who wanders from the way of understanding
Will ^(C1)rest in the assembly of the ^(F1)dead.

¹⁷ One who ^(C1)loves pleasure will become a poor person;
One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

¹⁸ The wicked is a ^(C1)ransom for the righteous,
And the ^(C2)treacherous is in the place of the upright.

^19 (C1)It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and irritating woman.

²⁰ There is precious ^(C1)treasure and oil in the home of the wise,
But a foolish person ^(C2)swallows it up.

²¹ One who ^(C1)pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

²² A ^(C1)wise person scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the ^(F1)stronghold in which they trust.

²³ One who ^(C1)guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.

²⁴ "Proud," "Arrogant," "^(C1)Scoffer," are his names,
One who acts with ^(C2)insolent pride.

²⁵ The ^(C1)desire of the ^(F1)lazy one puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work;

²⁶ All day long he ^(F1)is craving,
While the righteous ^(C1)gives and does not hold back.

²⁷ The ^(C1)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

²⁸ A ^(C1)false witness will perish,
But a person who listens will speak forever.

²⁹ A wicked person ^(F1)(C1)displays a bold face,
But as for the ^(C2)upright, he makes his way sure.

³⁰ There is ^(C1)no wisdom, no understanding,
And no ^(F1)plan against the LORD.

³¹ The ^(C1)horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But the ^(C2)victory belongs to the LORD.