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.
Proverbs 21
21
1The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
he directs it wherever he wants.
2Everyone’s path is straight in their own eyes,
but the LORD weighs the heart.
3Acting with righteousness and justice
is more valued by the LORD than sacrifice.
4Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and
the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
5The plans of the diligent end up in profit,
but those who hurry end up with loss.
6Those who gain treasure with lies
are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
for they refuse to act with justice.
8The ways of some people are twisted and strange,
but the behavior of those who do right is pure.
9Better to live on the edge of a roof
than with a contentious woman in a large house.
10Wicked people desire evil;
their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
11When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom;
when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.
12The righteous one observes the house of the wicked,
turning the wicked toward trouble.
13Those who close their ears to the cries of the poor
will themselves call out but receive no answer.
14A secret gift calms anger,
and a hidden bribe removes#21.14 Heb lacks removes. furious wrath.
15Acting justly is a joy to the righteous,
but dreaded by those who do evil.
16People who wander from the path of insight
will rest in the company of the dead.
17Those who love pleasure end up poor;
lovers of wine and oil won’t get rich.
18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous;
the treacherous will be punished#21.18 Heb lacks will be punished. in the place of the virtuous.
19Better to live in a wilderness
than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.
20Precious treasure and oil stay in the home of the wise,
but fools swallow them up.
21Those who pursue righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise person fought a city of warriors
and brought down the stronghold in which they felt safe.
23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
guard themselves from trouble.
24Incredibly proud—mockers are their name!
Their conduct involves excessive pride.
25The desires of the lazy will kill them,
because their hands refuse to do anything.
26The lazy desire things constantly,
but the righteous give without holding back.
27The LORD detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
especially when brought with devious motives.
28A lying witness will perish,
but one who listens will testify successfully.
29The wicked person appears brash,
but the virtuous think about the path ahead.
30No wisdom, understanding,
or advice can stand up against the LORD.
31A horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory belongs to the LORD.
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