21
1 The
king’s heart is
in the LORD’s
hand like
the watercourses.
He turns it
wherever he
desires.
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
high look and
a proud heart,
the lamp of
the wicked, is
sin.
5 The
plans of the
diligent surely lead to
profit;
and everyone who
is hasty surely rushes to
poverty.
6 Getting treasures by
a lying tongue
is a fleeting
vapor for those who
seek death.
7 The
violence of the
wicked will drive
them away,
because they
refuse to do
what is right.
8 The
way of the
guilty is devious,
but the conduct
of the innocent is
upright.
9 It
is better to
dwell in the
corner of the
housetop
than to share a
house with a
contentious woman.
10 The
soul of the
wicked desires evil;
his neighbor
finds no mercy
in his eyes.
11 When
the mocker is
punished, the
simple gains wisdom.
When the wise
is instructed, he
receives knowledge.
12 The
Righteous One
considers the
house of the
wicked,
and brings the
wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever stops
his ears at the
cry of the
poor,
he will also
cry out, but
shall not be
heard.
14 A
gift in
secret pacifies anger,
and a bribe
in the cloak, strong
wrath.
15 It
is joy to
the righteous to
do justice;
but it is
a destruction to
the workers
of iniquity.
16 The
man who wanders out
of the way
of understanding
shall rest in
the assembly of
the departed
spirits.
17 He
who loves pleasure
will be a
poor man.
He who loves wine
and oil won’t be
rich.
18 The
wicked is a
ransom for the
righteous,
the treacherous for
the upright.
19 It
is better to
dwell in a
desert land,
than with a
contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is
precious treasure and
oil in the
dwelling of the
wise,
but a foolish
man swallows it up.
21 He
who follows after
righteousness and
kindness
finds life,
righteousness, and
honor.
22 A
wise man scales
the city of
the mighty,
and brings down
the strength of
its confidence.
23 Whoever
guards his mouth
and his tongue
keeps his soul
from troubles.
24 The
proud and
arrogant man—“Scoffer” is
his name—
he works in
the arrogance of
pride.
25 The
desire of the
sluggard kills him,
for his hands
refuse to labor.
26 There
are those who covet
greedily all day
long;
but the righteous
give and don’t
withhold.
27 The
sacrifice of the
wicked is an
abomination—
how much more,
when he brings it
with a wicked
mind!
28 A
false witness
will perish.
A man who listens
speaks to eternity.
29 A
wicked man hardens
his face;
but as for
the upright, he
establishes his
ways.
30 There
is no wisdom nor
understanding
nor counsel
against the LORD.
31 The
horse is prepared
for the day
of battle;
but victory is
with the LORD.