THE BOOK OF PROVERBS
Proverbs 21
1 ¶ The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water: he turns it whichever way he wants.
2 ¶ Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD considers the heart.
3 ¶ Doing what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 ¶ A conceited look, and a proud mind, the lamp that guides the wicked, is sin.
5 ¶ The planning of those who work hard leads to abundance; but every one who tries to get it quick only becomes poor.
6 ¶ Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a fleeting illusion of those who seek death.
7 ¶ The plundering done by the wicked will destroy them; because they refuse to do what is right.
8 ¶ The conduct of the dishonest is perverse and crooked: but the behavior of the pure is right.
9 ¶ It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a large house with a quarrelsome woman.
10 ¶ A wicked person wants to do wrong: and has no compassion for his fellow man.
11 ¶ When one who scorns right is punished, the foolish are taught wisdom: and when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 ¶ The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: how God brings the wicked down to ruin.
13 ¶ Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, will also cry out, but will not be heard.
14 ¶ A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15 ¶ When justice is done it brings joy to the righteous: but terrifies those who do evil.
16 ¶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding will arrive at the congregation 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 will be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous for the upright.
19 ¶ It is better to dwell in the desert, than with an angry and argumentative woman.
20 ¶ There is costly treasure and oil in the home of the wise; but a foolish man wastes it.
21 ¶ He who seeks to be righteous and kind finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 ¶ A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty, and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 ¶ Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 ¶ A proud and contemptuous person is called a scoffer, there is arrogance and conceit in what he does.
25 ¶ The desire of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to work.
26 He is continually greedy for gain: but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 ¶ The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: and more so if he brings it with an evil intent?
28 ¶ A false witness will perish: but a man is free to tell what he has heard.
29 ¶ A wicked man puts on a bold face: but the innocent is sure of his way.
30 ¶ No wisdom, understanding, or planning can stand against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but victory belongs to the LORD.