21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the 1rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 aEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes,

bBut the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 cTo do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 dA haughty look, a proud heart,

And the 2plowing of the wicked are sin.

5 eThe plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6 fGetting treasures by a lying tongue

3Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked will 4destroy them,

Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of 5a guilty man is perverse;

But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with ga contentious woman.

10 hThe soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;

But when the iwise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,

Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 jWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.