Proverbs21

¹ The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases.

² People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart.

³ The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.

⁴ Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

⁵ Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

⁶ Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.

⁷ The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

⁸ The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.

⁹ It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

¹⁰ Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

¹¹ If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

¹² The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.

¹³ Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.

¹⁴ A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

¹⁵ Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.

¹⁶ The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.

¹⁷ Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.

¹⁹ It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

²⁰ The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.

²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

²² The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.

²³ Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

²⁴ Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

²⁵ Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

²⁶ Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!

²⁷ The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

²⁸ A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

²⁹ The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.

³⁰ No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.

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