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 21

The [Lord] Is In Charge

1  t 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 hurry to get rich,
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  t 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 honor.

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  t 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.