1  The plans of the heart belong to man,

but ^lthe answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

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

but the Lord ⁿweighs the spirit.¹

3  ^oCommit your work to the Lord,

and your plans will be established.

4  ^pThe Lord has made everything for its purpose,

even ^qthe wicked for the day of trouble.

5  Everyone who is arrogant in heart is ^ran abomination to the Lord;

^sbe assured, he will not go unpunished.

6  By ^tsteadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,

and by ^uthe fear of the Lord one ^vturns away from evil.

7  When a man’s ways please the Lord,

^whe makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8  ^xBetter is a little with righteousness

than great revenues with injustice.

9  ^yThe heart of man plans his way,

but ^zthe Lord establishes his steps.

10  ^aAn oracle is on the lips of a king;

his mouth does not sin in judgment.

11  ^bA just balance and scales are the Lord’s;

all the weights in the bag are his work.

12  It is an abomination to kings to do evil,

for ^cthe throne is established by righteousness.

13  ^dRighteous lips are the delight of a king,

and he loves him who speaks what is right.

14  ^eA king’s wrath is a messenger of death,

and a wise man will ^fappease it.

15  ^gIn the light of a king’s face there is life,

and his ^dfavor is like ^hthe clouds that bring the spring rain.

16  ⁱHow much better to get wisdom than ^jgold!

To get understanding is to be chosen rather than ^ksilver.