Proverbs 21

On Life and Conduct

1The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He 1turns it wherever He pleases.22Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord 3examines the hearts.3To do 4righteousness and justice Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The 5lamp of the wicked, is sin.5The plans of the 6diligent certainly lead to advantage, But everyone 7who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.6The 8acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the 9pursuit of 10death.7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, Because they 11refuse to act with justice.8The way of a guilty person is 12crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.9It is better to live on a corner of a roof Than 13in a house shared with a contentious woman.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His 14neighbor is shown no compassion in his eyes.11When the 15scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.12The 16righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Bringing the 17wicked to ruin.13One who 18shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor Will also call out himself, and not be 19answered.14A 20gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe 21in an inside pocket, strong wrath.15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But 22terror to those who practice injustice.16A person who wanders from the way of understanding Will 23rest in the assembly of the 24dead.17One who 25loves pleasure will become a poor person; One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.18The wicked is a 26ransom for the righteous, And the 27treacherous is in the place of the upright.1928It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and irritating woman.20There is precious 29treasure and oil in the home of the wise, But a foolish person 30swallows it up.21One who 31pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.22A 32wise person scales the city of the mighty And brings down the 33stronghold in which they trust.23One who 34guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.24“Proud,” “Arrogant,” “35Scoffer,” are his names, One who acts with 36insolent pride.25The 37desire of the 38lazy one puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;26All day long he 39is craving, While the righteous 40gives and does not hold back.27The 41sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!28A 42false witness will perish, But a person who listens will speak forever.29A wicked person 4344displays a bold face, But as for the 45upright, he makes his way sure.30There is 46no wisdom, no understanding, And no 47plan against the Lord.31The 48horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the 49victory belongs to the Lord.