Proverbs — Chapter 21

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

1The king`s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

4A high look, and a proud heart, [Even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.

7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.

8The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.

9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.

11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, [How] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright.

19It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.

24The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.

25The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.

26There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!

28A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.

2All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the Lord evaluates his thoughts.

3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— what the wicked cultivate is sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.

7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they have refused to do what is right.

8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.

9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The appetite of the wicked has desired evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.

11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.

14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.

15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.

16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed.

17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous are taken in the place of the upright.

19It is better to live in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome and easily provoked woman.

20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.

21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor.

22A wise man went up against the city of the mighty and brought down the stronghold in which they trust.

23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.

24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,” acts with overbearing pride.

25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands have refused to work.

26All day long he has craved greedily, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.

27The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.

29A wicked person has put on a bold face, but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the Lord.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the Lord.

1The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.

19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.

21He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

24The proud and haughty man, “scoffer” is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.

25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

28A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.

29A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.