Proverbs 21

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.

World English Bible (public domain)