Proverbs 21
21
1To the Lord, a king’s mind is like a ditch used to water the fields. He can lead the king wherever he wants him to go.
2People think that whatever they do is right, but the Lord judges the reasons for everything they do.
3Do what is right and fair. The Lord loves that more than sacrifices.
4Proud looks and proud thoughts are sins. They show a person is evil.
5Careful planning leads to profit. Acting too quickly leads to poverty.
6Wealth that comes from telling lies disappears quickly and leads to death.
7The bad things that evil people do will destroy them, because they refuse to do what is right.
8Criminals cause trouble wherever they go, but good people are honest and fair.
9It is better to live in a small corner on the roof than to share the house with a woman who is always arguing.
10Evil people always want to do more evil, and they show no mercy to people around them.
11When you punish a proud person who laughs at what is right, even fools will learn something.#21:11 Or “Punish a rude, arrogant person, and the others will become wise.” But a little instruction is enough for the wise to learn what they should.
12God is good. He knows what the wicked are doing, and he will punish them.
13Those who refuse to help the poor will not receive help when they need it themselves.
14If anyone is angry with you, give them a gift in private. A gift given in secret will calm even the strongest anger.
15A decision that is fair makes good people happy, but it makes those who are evil very afraid.
16Whoever leaves the path of wisdom will be on their way to an early death.
17Loving pleasure leads to poverty. Wine and luxury will never make you wealthy.
18The wicked must pay for what happens to good people—the cheaters will be taken in exchange for the honest.
19It is better to live alone in the desert than with a quick-tempered wife who loves to argue.
20Wise people save the nice things they have. Fools use up everything as soon as they get it.
21People who try hard to do good and be faithful will find life, goodness, and honor.
22A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors and tear down the defenses they trust in.
23People who are careful about what they say will save themselves from trouble.
24Proud people think they are better than others. They show they are evil by what they do.
25Lazy people will cause their own destruction because they refuse to work.
26Some people are greedy and never have enough. Good people are generous and have plenty.
27God hates sacrifices from the wicked, especially when their reason for offering them is evil.
28Witnesses who lie will be caught and punished. A careful listener will always be there to speak up.
29Good people know they are right, but the wicked have to pretend.
30There is no one wise enough to make a plan that can succeed if the Lord is against it.
31You can prepare your horses for battle, but only the Lord can give you the victory.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
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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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.