Proverbs 21

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Proverbs 21

The Lord is in charge

1 The Lord controls rulers,
just as he determines
the course of rivers.

2 We may think we are doing
the right thing,
but the Lord always knows
what is in our hearts.

3 Doing what is right and fair
pleases the Lord
more than an offering.

4 Evil people are proud
and arrogant,
but sin is the only crop
they produce.t

5 If you plan and work hard,
you will have plenty;
if you get in a hurry,
you will end up poor.

6 Cheating to get rich
is a foolish dream
and no less than suicide.t

7 You destroy yourself
by being cruel and violent
and refusing to live right.

8 All crooks are liars,
but anyone who is innocent
will do right.

9 It's better to stay outside
on the roof of your house
than to live inside
with a nagging wife.

10 Evil people want to do wrong,
even to their friends.

11 An ignorant fool learns
by seeing others punished;
a sensible person learns
by being instructed.

12 God is always fair!
He knows what the wicked do
and will punish them.

13 If you won't help the poor,
don't expect to be heard
when you cry out for help.

14 A secret bribe will save you
from someone's fierce anger.

15 When justice is done,
good citizens are glad
and crooks are terrified.

16 If you stop using good sense,
you will find yourself
in the grave.

17 Heavy drinkers and others
who live only for pleasure
will lose all they have.

18 God's people will escape,
but all who are wicked
will pay the price.

19 It's better out in the desert
than at home with a nagging,
complaining wife.

20 Be sensible and store up
precious treasures—
don't waste them
like a fool.

21 If you try to be kind and good,
you will be blessed with life
and goodness and honour.

22 One wise person can defeat
a city full of soldiers
and capture their fortress.

23 Watching what you say
can save you
a lot of trouble.

24 If you are proud and conceited,
everyone will say,
“You're a snob!”

25 If you want too much
and are too lazy to work,
it could be fatal.

26 But people who obey God
are always generous.

27 The Lord despises the offerings
of wicked people
with evil motives.

28 If you tell lies in court,
you are done for;
only a reliable witness
can do the job.

29 Wicked people bluff their way,
but God's people think
before they take a step.

30 No matter how much you know
or what plans you make,
you can't defeat the Lord.

31 Even if your army has horses
ready for battle,
the Lord will always win.