Mishlei (Pro) 21
21
1The king’s heart in Adonai’s hand is like streams of water —
he directs it wherever he pleases.
2All a person’s ways are right in his own view,
but Adonai weighs the heart.
3To do what is right and just
is more pleasing to Adonai than sacrifice.
4Haughty looks, a proud heart —
what the wicked plow is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance;
but all who rush in arrive only at want.
6A fortune gained by a lying tongue
is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to act justly.
8A criminal’s conduct is crooked,
but the work of the pure is right.
9It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than to share the house with a nagging wife.
10The wicked is set on evil;
he doesn’t pity even his neighbor.
11When a scorner is punished, the simple become wiser;
and when the wise is instructed, he takes hold of knowledge.
12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13Whoever stops up his ears at the cry of the poor
will himself cry, but not be answered.
14A secret gift allays anger,
and a bribe under the cloak the strongest fury.
15Acting justly is a joy for the righteous
but it terrifies evildoers.
16The person who strays from the way of common sense
will come to rest in the company of the dead.
17Pleasure-lovers will suffer want;
he who loves wine and oil won’t get rich.
18The wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous,
and likewise the perfidious for the upright.
19It is better to live in the desert
than with a nagging, irritable wife.
20In the home of the wise are fine treasures and oil,
but a fool quickly devours it.
21He who pursues righteousness and kindness
finds life, prosperity and honor.
22A wise man can go up into a city of warriors
and undermine the strength in which it trusts.
23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
24“Scoffer” is what you call a proud, insolent person
who acts with overweening conceit.
25A lazy man’s craving will kill him,
because his hands refuse to work —
26he covets greedily all day long;
but a righteous person gives without holding back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with vile motives.
28A lying witness is doomed,
but one who heard [what was said] will testify successfully.
29A wicked man puts on a bold face,
whereas the upright prepares his ways.
30No wisdom, discernment or counsel
succeeds against Adonai.
31A horse may be prepared for the day of battle,
but victory comes from Adonai.
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Mishlei (Pro) 21: CJB
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Learn More About Complete Jewish BibleProverbs 21
21
1In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.
2A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.#21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
for they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12The Righteous One#21:12 Or The righteous person takes note of the house of the wicked
and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
will also cry out and not be answered.
14A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.
16Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity#21:21 Or righteousness and honor.
22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
keep themselves from calamity.
24The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,
because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous give without sparing.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28A false witness will perish,
but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
that can succeed against the Lord.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.
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