1. The Lord weighs the heart (1-12)

A king may think he is in control. But the king's heart is in God's hand. People do many things they think are right. But corrupt sinners cannot do what is right. God sees motives and weighs the heart. God is pleased with righteous actions over ritual sacrifices. Here are some characteristics the Lord hates: Self-righteous heart (2), haughty eyes and a proud heart (4), hasty people (5), lying tongues(6), one who refuses to do what is right (7), a quarrelsome wife(9), he who craves evil (10) and a mocker (11).

2. If a man shuts his ears... (13-19)

Here are some characteristics of the righteous: he listens to the cry of the poor (13), loves justice and brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers (15), walks on the path of understanding (16), hates the pleasure-seeking life (17) and is careful not to choose a wife from among the quarrelsome (19).