Proverbs - Chapter 21

¹ The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [Like] the rip of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

² Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.

³ To do righteousness and justice [Is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

⁴ A haughty look, a proud heart, [And] the plowing of the wicked [are] sin.

⁵ The plans of the diligent [lead] surely to plenty, But [those of] everyone [who is] hasty, surely to poverty.

⁶ Getting treasures by a lying tongue [Is] the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

⁸ The way of a guilty man [is] perpe; But [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.

⁹ Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

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

¹² The righteous [God] wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for [their] wickedness.

¹³ Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

¹⁵ [It is] a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction [will come] to the workers of iniquity.

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

¹⁷ He who loves pleasure [will be] a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

¹⁹ Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

²⁰ [There is] desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

²¹ He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness and honor.

²² A wise [man] scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

²³ Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

²⁴ A proud [and] haughty [man -- "Scoffer" is] his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

²⁵ The desire of the lazy [man] kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.

²⁶ He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination; How much more [when] he brings it with wicked intent!

²⁸ A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears [him] will speak endlessly.

²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face, But [as for] the upright, he establishes his way.

³⁰ [There is] no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.

³¹ The horse [is] prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance [is] of the LORD.