Proverbs 21

Chapter 21

1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD;
he guides it wherever he pleases.2 People may be right in their own eyes,
but the LORD examines their heart.3 The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just
than when we offer him sacrifices.4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
and evil actions are all sin.5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.6 Wealth created by a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.t7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.8 The guilty walk a crooked path;
the innocent travel a straight road.9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.10 Evil people desire evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.12 The Righteous Onet knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.14 A secret gift calms anger;
a bribe under the table pacifies fury.15 Justice is a joy to the godly,
but it terrifies evildoers.16 The person who strays from common sense
will end up in the company of the dead.17 Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.19 It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.20 The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.22 The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.24 Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.26 Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.28 A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.29 The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the LORD.31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the LORD.

Proverbs 22

Chapter 22

1 Choose a good reputation over great riches;
being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.2 The rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD made them both.3 A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.4 True humility and fear of the LORD
lead to riches, honor, and long life.5 Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road;
whoever values life will avoid it.6 Direct your children onto the right path,
and when they are older, they will not leave it.7 Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.8 Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.t9 Blessed are those who are generous,
because they feed the poor.10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
Quarrels and insults will disappear.11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
will have the king as a friend.12 The LORD preserves those with knowledge,
but he ruins the plans of the treacherous.13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion out there!
If I go outside, I might be killed!”14 The mouth of an immoral woman is a dangerous trap;
those who make the LORD angry will fall into it.15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
but physical discipline will drive it far away.16 A person who gets ahead by oppressing the poor
or by showering gifts on the rich will end in poverty.

Sayings of the Wise

17 Listen to the words of the wise;
apply your heart to my instruction.18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart
and always ready on your lips.19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—
so you will trust in the LORD.20 I have written thirty sayingst for you,
filled with advice and knowledge.21 In this way, you may know the truth
and take an accurate report to those who sent you.22 Don’t rob the poor just because you can,
or exploit the needy in court.23 For the LORD is their defender.
He will ruin anyone who ruins them.24 Don’t befriend angry people
or associate with hot-tempered people,25 or you will learn to be like them
and endanger your soul.26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
or put up security for someone else.27 If you can’t pay it,
even your bed will be snatched from under you.28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
set up by previous generations.29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.

Proverbs 23

Chapter 23

1 While dining with a ruler,
pay attention to what is put before you.2 If you are a big eater,
put a knife to your throat;3 don’t desire all the delicacies,
for he might be trying to trick you.4 Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich.
Be wise enough to know when to quit.5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
for it will sprout wings
and fly away like an eagle.6 Don’t eat with people who are stingy;
don’t desire their delicacies.7 They are always thinking about how much it costs.t
“Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.8 You will throw up what little you’ve eaten,
and your compliments will be wasted.9 Don’t waste your breath on fools,
for they will despise the wisest advice.10 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers;
don’t take the land of defenseless orphans.11 For their Redeemert is strong;
he himself will bring their charges against you.12 Commit yourself to instruction;
listen carefully to words of knowledge.13 Don’t fail to discipline your children.
They won’t die if you spank them.14 Physical discipline
may well save them from death.t15 My child,t if your heart is wise,
my own heart will rejoice!16 Everything in me will celebrate
when you speak what is right.17 Don’t envy sinners,
but always continue to fear the LORD.18 You will be rewarded for this;
your hope will not be disappointed.19 My child, listen and be wise:
Keep your heart on the right course.20 Do not carouse with drunkards
or feast with gluttons,21 for they are on their way to poverty,
and too much sleep clothes them in rags.22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.23 Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.t25 So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy.26 O my son, give me your heart.
May your eyes take delight in following my ways.27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap;
a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.28 She hides and waits like a robber,
eager to make more men unfaithful.29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
trying out new drinks.31 Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
it stings like a viper.33 You will see hallucinations,
and you will say crazy things.34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
clinging to a swaying mast.35 And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it.
I didn’t even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
so I can look for another drink?”