Proverbs 21
1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; 1 he turns it wherever he pleases. 1
2Every person's way is right in his own eyes, 1 but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts. 1
3To do what is right and just 1 is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice. 1
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— 1 the lamp of the wicked—are sin. 1
5The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, 1 but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty. 1
6Acquiring riches by a lying tongue 1 is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills. 1
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, 1 for they refuse to do what is just. 1
8The way of a guilty person is crooked, 1 but the one who is pure does what is right. 1
9It is better to live on a corner of the roof 1 than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. 1
10The appetite of the wicked craves evil; 1 his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 1
11When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, 1 and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge. 1
12The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; 1 he brings wicked people to disaster. 1
13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, 1 he also will cry out, but he will not be answered. 1
14A gift in secret appeases anger 1 and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath. 1
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, 1 but it brings terror to evildoers. 1
16The one who wanders from the way of understanding, 1 he will rest in the assembly of the dead. 1
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; 1 the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 1
18A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, 1 and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people. 1
19It is better to live in the desert 1 than with a quarreling and angry wife. 1
20Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, 1 but a foolish person swallows it all up. 1
21The one who does right and is kind— 1 this person finds life, righteousness, and honor. 1
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, 1 and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted. 1
23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue 1 keeps himself out of trouble. 1
24The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— 1 acts with arrogant pride. 1
25The desire of the lazy kills him, 1 for his hands refuse to work. 1
26All day long he craves and craves more, 1 but the righteous person gives and does not hold back. 1
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; 1 it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives. 1
28A false witness will perish, 1 but the one who listens will speak for all time. 1
29A wicked man makes his face hard, 1 but an upright person is certain about his ways. + 21:29 Some modern versions have but an upright person thinks about his way . 1
30There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice 1 that can stand against Yahweh. 1
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, 1 but the victory belongs to Yahweh.