1As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.2Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.3To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.4A high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.5He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.6Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.7To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.8It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.9The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.10When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.11A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.12He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him.13A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.14It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.15A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.16A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;17and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.18It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.19A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.20The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.21A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.22He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.23A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.24Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.25An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.26The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.27A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.28An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.29There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.30A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
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