Proverbs21

¹ The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He pleases.

² Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord examines the hearts.

³ To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.

⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent certainly lead to advantage, But everyone who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.

⁶ The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.

⁸ The way of a guilty person is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

⁹ It is better to live on a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor is shown no compassion in his eyes.

¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹² The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Bringing the wicked to ruin.

¹³ One who shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor Will also call out himself, and not be answered.

¹⁴ A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in an inside pocket, strong wrath.

¹⁵ The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But terror to those who practice injustice.

¹⁶ A person who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

¹⁷ One who loves pleasure will become a poor person; One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and irritating woman.

²⁰ There is precious treasure and oil in the home of the wise, But a foolish person swallows it up.

²¹ One who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

²² A wise person scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

²³ One who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.

²⁴ “Proud,” “Arrogant,” “Scoffer,” are his names, One who acts with insolent pride.

²⁵ The desire of the lazy one puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;

²⁶ All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

²⁸ A false witness will perish, But a person who listens will speak forever.

²⁹ A wicked person displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

³⁰ There is no wisdom, no understanding, And no plan against the Lord.

³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the victory belongs to the Lord.