Proverbs 21
¹ The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
³ To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
⁴ A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
⁵ The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
⁶ Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
⁷ The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
⁸ The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
⁹ It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
¹¹ When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
¹² The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
¹³ Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, 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 who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for 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 swallows it up.
²¹ He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
²³ Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
²⁴ The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
²⁵ The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
²⁸ A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
³⁰ There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.