Proverbs 21

On Life and Conduct

1The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

2Every man's way is right in his own eyes,

But the Lord weighs the hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice

Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart,

The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage,

But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue

Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

Because they refuse to act with justice.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked,

But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

9It is better to live in a corner of a roof

Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;

But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,

Turning the wicked to ruin.

13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be answered.

14A gift in secret subdues anger,

And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,

But is terror to the workers of iniquity.

16A man who wanders from the way of understanding

Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,

And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

19It is better to live in a desert land

Than with a contentious and vexing woman.

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man swallows it up.

21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty

Finds life, righteousness and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty

And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23He who guards his mouth and his tongue,

Guards his soul from troubles.

24“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names,

Who acts with insolent pride.

25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death,

For his hands refuse to work;

26All day long he is craving,

While the righteous gives and does not hold back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,

How much more when he brings it with evil intent!

28A false witness will perish,

But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

29A wicked man displays a bold face,

But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

30There is no wisdom and no understanding

And no counsel against the Lord.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But victory belongs to the Lord.