1. The lev melech is in the yad Hashem, as the channels of mayim; He directeth it wherever He will.
2. Every derech ish is yashar (right) in his own eynayim, but Hashem weigheth the hearts.
3. To do tzedakah and mishpat is more acceptable to Hashem than zevach.
4. A high and haughty eye, and a proud lev--ner resha'im (the lamp of the wicked ones)--are chattat (sin).
5. The plans of the kharutz (diligent) lead surely to profit; but of every one that is hasty surely to machsor (poverty, want).
6. The getting of otzarot by a lashon sheker is hevel (vain, empty, meaningless) and fleeting for them that seek mavet.
7. The violence of the resha'im shall drag them away; because they refuse to do mishpat (justice).
8. The derech of the guilty ish is hafachpach (crooked, tortuous), but as for the pure, his conduct is yashar (right).
9. It is better to dwell in a corner of the gag (roof), than with a quarrelsome isha in a shared bais.
10. The nefesh of the rashah desireth rah; his re'a findeth no mercy in his eynayim.
11. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise, and when insight is disclosed to the chacham, he receiveth da'as.
12. The tzaddik (righteous one) wisely considereth the bais of the rashah, and hurleth the resha'im to rah.
13. He who stoppeth his ozen at the cry of the dal (poor), he also shall cry out himself, but shall not be heard.
14. A mattan (gift) in secret pacifieth af (anger), and a shochad (bribe) in the kheyk (bosom, i.e., a concealed bribe) strong wrath.
15. It is simchah to the tzaddik to do mishpat, but terror for the po'alei aven (workers of iniquity).
16. The adam that wandereth astray from the derech haseichel (road of understanding) shall rest in the kahal of the refa'im (congregation of the dead).