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.