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].
The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.
Everyone who is proud and arrogant in heart is disgusting and exceedingly offensive to the LORD;
Be assured he will not go unpunished. [Prov 8:13; 11:20, 21]
By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart,
And by the fear of the LORD one avoids evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness
Than great income [gained] with injustice. [Ps 37:16; Prov 15:16]
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them. [Ps 37:23; Prov 20:24; Jer 10:23]
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment. [Deut 17:18-20; 2 Sam 14:17-20; 1 Kin 3:9-12; Is 11:2]
A just balance and [honest] scales are the LORD’S;
All the weights of the bag are His concern [established by His eternal principles].
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.
The wrath of a king is like a messenger of death,
But a wise man will appease it.
In the light of the king’s face is life,
And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold!
And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver. [Prov 8:10, 19]
The highway of the upright turns away and departs from evil;
He who guards his way protects his life (soul).
Pride goes before destruction,
And a haughty spirit before a fall.
It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly
Than to divide the spoil with the proud (haughty, arrogant).
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the LORD.
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
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.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him,
But its end is the way of death.
The appetite of a worker works for him,
For his hunger urges him on.
A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.
A perverse man spreads strife,
And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9]
A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin],
And leads him in a way that is not good.
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.
The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory;
It is found in the way of righteousness. [Prov 20:29]
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.
The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the LORD.