Proverbs 21

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

² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.

³ To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

⁴ An 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 vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.

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 neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

¹¹ When the scorner 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 judgment; 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 congregation 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 mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.

²⁵ The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

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 unchallenged.

²⁹ A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.

³⁰ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

³¹ The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,