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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Proverbs 21: GW
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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 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.