² Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

² All a person’s ways seem pure to them,^(A)
    but motives are weighed^(B) by the Lord.^(C)

³ Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.^(D)

⁴ The Lord works out everything to its proper end^(E)—
    even the wicked for a day of disaster.^(F)

⁵ The Lord detests all the proud of heart.^(G)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.^(H)

⁶ Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord^(I) evil is avoided.^(J)

⁷ When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace^(K) with them.^(L)

⁸ Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain^(M) with injustice.^(N)

⁹ In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.^(O)

¹⁰ The lips of a king speak as an oracle,
    and his mouth does not betray justice.^(P)

¹¹ Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.^(Q)

¹² Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.^(R)

¹³ Kings take pleasure in honest lips;
    they value the one who speaks what is right.^(S)

¹⁴ A king’s wrath is a messenger of death,^(T)
    but the wise will appease it.^(U)

¹⁵ When a king’s face brightens, it means life;^(V)
    his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.^(W)

¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
    to get insight^(X) rather than silver!^(Y)

¹⁷ The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.^(Z)

¹⁸ Pride^(AA) goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit^(AB) before a fall.^(AC)

¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
    than to share plunder with the proud.

²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,^[a](AD)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.^(AE)

²¹ The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.^[b](AF)

²² Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,^(AG)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

²³ The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,^(AH)
    and their lips promote instruction.^[c](AI)

²⁴ Gracious words are a honeycomb,^(AJ)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.^(AK)

²⁵ There is a way that appears to be right,^(AL)
    but in the end it leads to death.^(AM)