Proverbs 21
21
1The LORD controls the mind of a king as easily as he directs the course of a stream.
2You may think that everything you do is right, but remember that the LORD judges your motives.
3Do what is right and fair; that pleases the LORD more than bringing him sacrifices.
4Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful.
5Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.
6The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.
7The wicked are doomed by their own violence; they refuse to do what is right.
8Guilty people walk a crooked path; the innocent do what is right.
9Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
10Wicked people are always hungry for evil; they have no mercy on anyone.
11When someone who is conceited gets his punishment, even an unthinking person learns a lesson. One who is wise will learn from what he is taught.
12God, the righteous one, knows what goes on in the homes of the wicked, and he will bring the wicked down to ruin.
13If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.
14If someone is angry with you, a gift given secretly will calm him down.
15When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are brought to despair.
16Death is waiting for anyone who wanders away from good sense.
17Indulging in luxuries, wine, and rich food will never make you wealthy.
18The wicked bring on themselves the suffering they try to cause good people.
19Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife.
20Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.
21Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.
22A shrewd general can take a city defended by strong men, and destroy the walls they relied on.
23If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say.
24Show me a conceited person and I will show you someone who is arrogant, proud, and inconsiderate.
25Lazy people who refuse to work are only killing themselves; 26all they do is think about what they would like to have. The righteous, however, can give, and give generously.
27The LORD hates it when wicked people offer him sacrifices, especially if they do it from evil motives.
28The testimony of a liar is not believed, but the word of someone who thinks matters through is accepted.
29Righteous people are sure of themselves; the wicked have to pretend as best they can.
30Human wisdom, brilliance, insight — they are of no help if the LORD is against you.
31You can get horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives victory.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Proverbs 21
21
1A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever He chooses. # Ezr 6:22
2All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives. # Lit Lord weighs the hearts # Pr 12:15; 16:2; 17:3; 24:12; Lk 16:15
3Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. # 1Sm 15:22; Pr 15:8; Hs 6:6; Mc 6:7-8; Mt 9:13
4The lamp # Some Hb mss, ancient versions read tillage that guides the wicked —
haughty eyes and an arrogant heart # Ps 101:5; Pr 6:16-17; 30:13 — is sin.
5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. # Pr 10:4; 14:23; 21:20; 28:22
6Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist, # Or a breath blown away a pursuit of death. # Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death # Lit is vanity, ones seeking death # Pr 8:36; 13:11; 20:21
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.
8A guilty man’s conduct is crooked, # Pr 2:15
but the behavior of the innocent is upright. # Pr 20:11
9Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife. # Pr 15:16-17; 17:1; 21:19; 25:24
10A wicked person desires evil;
he has no consideration # Or favor for his neighbor. # Pr 14:21
11When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge. # Pr 19:25
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
He brings the wicked to ruin.
13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered. # Pr 14:31; 17:5; Mt 18:30-34; Jms 2:13; 1Jn 3:17
14A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe, # Lit a bribe in the bosom fierce rage. # Pr 17:8; 18:16; 19:6
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to those who practice iniquity. # Pr 10:29; Rm 13:13
16The man who strays from the way of wisdom
will come to rest
in the assembly of the departed spirits. # Ps 49:14; Pr 2:18; 9:18
17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. # Ec 2:1-3,10-11
18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous, for # Or in place of the upright. # Pr 11:8; Is 43:3
19Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. # Pr 21:9
20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
but a foolish man consumes them. # Lit it # Jb 20:15,18; Ps 112:3; Pr 10:4; 28:20; Mt 25:1-13
21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor. # Pr 3:16; 8:18; 15:9; Mt 5:6; 6:33
22A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress. # 2Sm 5:6-9; Pr 14:26; 24:5; Ec 7:19; 9:14-18
23The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble. # Pr 12:13; 13:3; Jms 3:2
24The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive pride. # Ps 1:1; Pr 1:22; 21:11
25A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work. # Pr 10:4; 12:24; 13:4; 19:15,24
26He is filled with craving # Lit He craves a craving all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back. # Ps 37:26; Pr 11:24-25
27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable —
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives! # Pr 15:8; 28:9; Is 66:3
28A lying witness will perish, # Pr 19:5,9
but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29A wicked man puts on a bold face, # Pr 7:13
but the upright man considers his way.
30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the Lord. # Is 8:9-10; 1Co 3:19-20
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, # Ps 20:7; 33:17; 108:10-13; Is 31:1
but victory comes from the Lord. # Jr 3:23; 1Co 15:57
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