The Reply of the Tongue Is from Yahweh

1The plans of the heart are unto man,

and from YHWH is the answer of the tongue.

2All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,

and YHWH weighs out the spirit.

3Roll your works toward YHWH,

and your plans will be established.

4YHWH has made everything for its own end—

even the wicked for the day of evil.

5An abomination to YHWH is everyone high of heart;

hand to hand, he will not be acquitted.

6By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by the fear of YHWH one turns aside from evil.

7When the ways of a man please YHWH,

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8Better is a little with righteousness

than an abundance of increase without justice.

9The heart of man plans his way,

and YHWH establishes his step.

10Divination is on the lips of the king;

in judgment his mouth shall not be unfaithful.

11A balance and scales of justice are unto YHWH;

all the stones of the bag are His work.

12An abomination to kings is to commit wickedness,

for by righteousness a throne is established.

13Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings,

and one speaking uprightly he loves.

14The wrath of a king is as messengers of death,

and a wise man will appease it.

15In the light of the face of a king is life,

and his favor is like a cloud of spring rain.

16To acquire wisdom—how much better than gold!

And to acquire understanding is to be chosen above silver!

17The highway of the upright ones turns aside from evil;

one guarding his soul watches over his way.

18Before the face of breaking is pride,

and before a fall is a haughty spirit.

19Better to be lowly spirit among the poor,

than to divide plunder with proud ones.

20One acting wisely concerning a matter will find good,†

and one trusting in YHWH is blessed.

21The one wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of lips increases learning.

22A fountain of life is understanding to its owners,

and the discipline of fools is folly.

23The heart of the wise causes his mouth to act wisely,

and upon his lips he increases learning.

24Words of pleasantness are a comb of honey—

sweet to the soul and healing to the bone.

25There is a way right before the face of a man,

and its end is the way of death.

26The soul of the laborer labors for himself,

because his mouth presses him onward.

27A man of worthlessness digs up evil,

and upon his lips it is like a fire burning.

28A man of perversity sends out strife,

and a murmurer is separating a close friend.

29A man of violence entices his neighbor

and leads him in a way that is not good.

30Winking his eyes to devise perversity,

pursing his lips, he has accomplished evil.

31Grey hair is a crown of glory;

along the path of righteousness it is found.

32Better is one slow to anger than a mighty one,

and one ruling over his spirit than one taking a city.

33Into the lap the lot is cast,

and all its judgment is from YHWH.