Proverbs 21

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

that he channels toward all who please him.^p

People may think all their ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.^q

To do what is right and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.^r

Haughty eyes^s and a proud heart—

the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit^t

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

A fortune made by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.^u

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,^v

for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,^w

but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.^x

The wicked crave evil;

their neighbors get no mercy from them.

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;

by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.^y

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin.^z

Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor

will also cry out^a and not be answered.^b

A gift given in secret soothes anger,

and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.^c

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.^d

Whoever strays from the path of prudence

comes to rest in the company of the dead.^e

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.^f

The wicked become a ransom^g for the righteous,

and the unfaithful for the upright.

Better to live in a desert

than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.^h

The wise store up choice food and oil,

but fools gulp theirs down.

Whoever pursues righteousness and love

finds life, prosperityⁱ and honor.^j

One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty^k

and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

Those who guard their mouths^l and their tongues

keep themselves from calamity.^m

The proud and arrogantⁿ—“Mocker” is their name;

they behave with insolent fury.

The craving of sluggards will be the death of them,^o

because their hands refuse to work.

All day long they crave for more,

but the righteous^p give without sparing.^q

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable^r—

how much more so when brought with evil intent!^s

Those who give false witness^t will perish,^u

but a careful listener will testify successfully.

The wicked put up a bold front,

but the upright give thought to their ways.^v

There is no wisdom,^w no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the Lord.^x

The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but victory rests with the Lord.^y