Proverbs 21

1 The Lord can control a king’s mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases.

2 You may believe you are doing right, but the Lord judges your reasons.

3 Doing what is right and fair is more important to the Lord than sacrifices.

4 Proud looks, proud thoughts, and evil actions are sin.

5 The plans of hard-working people earn a profit, but those who act too quickly become poor.

6 Wealth that comes from telling lies vanishes like a mist and leads to death.

7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do what is right.

8 Guilty people live dishonest lives, but honest people do right.
9 It is better to live in a corner on the roof 

10 Evil people only want to harm others. Their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 If you punish those who make fun of wisdom, a foolish person may gain some wisdom. But if you teach the wise, they will get knowledge.

12 God, who is always right, watches the house of the wicked and brings ruin on every evil person.

13 Whoever ignores the poor when they cry for help will also cry for help and not be answered.

14 A secret gift will calm an angry person; a present given in secrecy will quiet great anger.

15 When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are ruined.

16 Whoever does not use good sense will end up among the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and perfume will never be rich.

18 Wicked people will suffer instead of good people, and those who cannot be trusted will suffer instead of those who do right.

19 It is better to live alone in the desert than with a quarreling and complaining wife.

20 Wise people’s houses are full of the best foods and olive oil, but fools waste everything they have.

21 Whoever tries to live right and be loyal finds life, success, and honor.

22 A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors and tear down the defenses they trust in.

23 Those who are careful about what they say keep themselves out of trouble.

24 People who act with stubborn pride are called “proud,” “bragger,” and “mocker.”

25 Lazy people’s desire for sleep will kill them, because they refuse to work.

26 All day long they wish for more, but good people give without holding back.

27 The Lord hates sacrifices brought by evil people, particularly when they offer them for the wrong reasons.

28 A lying witness will be forgotten, but a truthful witness will speak on.

29 Wicked people are stubborn, but good people think carefully about what they do.

30 There is no wisdom, understanding, or advice that can succeed against the Lord.
31 You can get the horses ready for battle, but it is the Lord who gives the victory.

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.