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Proverbs 21

21
Chapter 21
1The Lord controls the things that a king decides to do.
He can change the king's thoughts, like the direction of a stream.
2People think that everything they do is right,
but the Lord knows exactly why they are doing it.
3If you do what is right and fair,
it pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
4 Wicked people are proud and they boast.
Sin is their guide through life.
5A careful person makes good plans
and he has everything that he needs.
But anyone who works in a hurry will soon become poor.
6If you deceive people to become rich,
it will soon all disappear.
It will lead you to an early death.
7When wicked people do violent things, it destroys them.
They refuse to do what is right.
8 Guilty people are always going the wrong way.
Good people keep on the right way.
9It is better to live on the roof of your house
than to live with a wife who always argues.
10 Evil things are the food that wicked people eat to live.
They are not kind to anyone, even their friends.
11When a proud person receives punishment,
silly people become wise.
When you teach a wise person,
he learns more knowledge.
12The Righteous One knows what happens in the homes of wicked people. #21:12 ‘The Righteous One’ means God, who is always fair and right.
He punishes them as they deserve.
13If you refuse to listen when poor people ask for help,
you too will receive no help when you need it.
14If someone is angry with you, give him a gift secretly.
A secret bribe will make him quiet, even if he is very angry.
15When there is justice, righteous people are happy,
but wicked people are afraid.
16If someone decides to turn away from wisdom,
he will soon be in his grave.
17Anyone who loves only pleasure will become poor.
People who love wine and big feasts will never become rich.
18When trouble comes,
wicked people receive the pain instead of righteous people.
19It is better to live alone in a desert
than to live with a wife who quarrels and complains.
20Wise people store valuable things and good food in their houses.
But foolish people waste everything immediately.
21If you are kind and faithful, you will live a long life!
Other people will respect you and they will be kind to you.
22A wise person can win against a city that is full of strong men.
He can destroy the strong place that they trust to keep them safe.
23If you want to keep away from trouble,
always be careful about what you say.
24If you are proud, people will call you ‘Boaster’,
because you think that you are better than all other people.
25Lazy people want many things but they refuse to work,
so they are killing themselves.
26They think only about more things that they want for themselves.
But righteous people are happy to give their things to other people.
27The Lord hates it
when wicked people offer sacrifices to him.
He hates it even more
when they do it with an evil purpose.
28Anyone who tells lies in court will come to nothing.
But if someone listens to the truth, his report will remain for ever.
29Wicked people do not show what they are really thinking.
But righteous people think carefully about what they are doing.
30There is no wisdom, no knowledge and no advice
that can win against the Lord.
31You can prepare your horses to fight in a battle,
but only the Lord can help you to win.

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Proverbs 21: EASY

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