Chapter text
World English Bible
Verse-by-verse text with stable anchors, canonical chapter URLs, and copyable verse links.
- 1 The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
- 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
- 3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
- 4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
- 5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
- 6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
- 7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
- 8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
- 9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
- 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
- 11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
- 12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
- 13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
- 14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
- 15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
- 16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
- 17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
- 18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
- 19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
- 20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
- 21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
- 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
- 23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
- 24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
- 25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
- 26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
- 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
- 28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
- 29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
- 30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
- 31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.