1 It pertaineth to man to prepare the heart: and to our Lord to govern the tongue.
1 It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 All the ways of man are open to his eyes: our Lord is the weigher of spirits.
2 All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.
3 Reveal thy works to our Lord: and thy cogitations shall be directed.
3 Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.
4 Our Lord hath wrought all things for himself: the impious also to the evil day.
4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.
5 Every arrogant man is an abomination to our Lord: although hand shall be to hand he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way, is to do justice: and it is more acceptable with God, than to immolate hosts.
5 Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and in the fear of our Lord evil is avoided.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
7 When the ways of man shall please our Lord, he will convert also his enemies to peace.
7 When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Better is a little with justice, than much fruit with iniquity.
8 Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.
9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but it pertaineth to our Lord to direct his progress.
9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.
10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Weight and balance are judgments of our Lord: and his work all the stones of the bag.
11 Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.
12 They are abominable to the king that do impiously: because the throne is established by justice.
12 They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.
13 The will of kings are just lips: he that speaketh right things shall be beloved.
13 Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.
14 The king's indignation, messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.
15 In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is as the later shower.
15 In the cheerfulness of the king's countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.
16 Possess wisdom, because it is better than gold: and get prudence, because it is more precious than silver.
16 Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 The path of the just avoideth evils: the keeper of his soul keepeth his way.
17 The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.
18 Pride goeth before destruction, and before ruin the spirit shall be exalted.
18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.
20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that hopeth in our Lord, is blessed.
20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.
21 He that is wise in heart, shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in speech shall find greater things.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.
22 Afountain of life the learning of him that possesseth it: the doctrine of fools foolishness.
22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.
24 Well set words are a honey comb: sweetness of the soul the health of the bones.
24 Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the later ends thereof lead to death.
25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.
26 The soul of him that laboureth doth labour to himself, because his mouth hath compelled him.
26 The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.
27 The impious man diggeth evil, and in his lips fire burneth.
27 The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 Aperverse man raiseth contentions: and one full of words separateth Princes.
28 A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.
29 An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him by a way not good.
29 An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.
30 He that with astonished eyes thinketh wicked things, biting his lips bringeth evil to pass.
30 He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.
31 Acrown of dignity old age, which shall be found in the ways of justice.
31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 Better is the patient than a strong man: and he that ruleth his mind, than the overthrower of cities.
32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.
33 Lots are cast into the bosom, but they are ordered of our Lord.
33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.