Proverbs 21
21
1The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses.
He turns it wherever he desires.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4A high look and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6Getting treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
because they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked,
and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
the treacherous for the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land,
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man swallows it up.
21He who follows after righteousness and kindness
finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his soul from troubles.
24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name—
he works in the arrogance of pride.
25The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26There are those who covet greedily all day long;
but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28A false witness will perish.
A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29A wicked man hardens his face;
but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against Yahweh.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle;
but victory is with Yahweh.
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Proverbs 21: WEBUS
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Proverbs 21
21
The LORD Controls Wise and Foolish People
1The king’s heart is like streams of water.
Both are under the Lord’s control.
He turns them in any direction he chooses.
2A person thinks everything he does is right,
but the Lord weighs hearts.
3Doing what is right and fair
is more acceptable to the Lord than offering a sacrifice.
4A conceited look and an arrogant attitude,
which are the lamps of wicked people, are sins.
5The plans of a hard-working person lead to prosperity,
but everyone who is ⌞always⌟ in a hurry ends up in poverty.
6Those who gather wealth by lying are wasting time.
They are looking for death.
7The violence of wicked people will drag them away
since they refuse to do what is just.
8The way of a guilty person is crooked,
but the behavior of those who are pure is moral.
9Better to live on a corner of a roof
than to share a home with a quarreling woman.
10The mind of a wicked person desires evil
and has no consideration for his neighbor.
11When a mocker is punished, a gullible person becomes wise,
and when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12A righteous person wisely considers the house of a wicked person.
He throws wicked people into disasters.
13Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will call and not be answered.
14A gift ⌞given⌟ in secret calms anger,
and a secret bribe calms great fury.
15When justice is done, a righteous person is delighted,
but troublemakers are terrified.
16A person who wanders from the way of wise behavior
will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor.
Whoever loves wine and expensive food will not become rich.
18Wicked people become a ransom for righteous people,
and treacherous people will take the place of decent people.
19Better to live in a desert
than with a quarreling and angry woman.
20Costly treasure and wealth are in the home of a wise person,
but a fool devours them.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man attacks a city of warriors
and pulls down the strong defenses in which they trust.
23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24An arrogant, conceited person is called a mocker.
His arrogance knows no limits.
25The desire of a lazy person will kill him
because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he feels greedy,
but a righteous person gives and does not hold back.
27The sacrifice of wicked people is disgusting,
especially if they bring it with evil intent.
28A lying witness will die,
but a person who listens to advice will continue to speak.
29A wicked person puts up a bold front,
but a decent person’s way of life is his own security.
30No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice
⌞can stand up⌟ against the Lord.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
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