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.
Mishlĕ (Proverbs) 21
21
1The sovereign’s heart is as channels of water In the hand of יהוה; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2All a man’s ways are right in his own eyes, But יהוה weighs the hearts.
3To do righteousness and right-ruling Is more acceptable to יהוה than a slaughtering.
4A haughty look, a proud heart, The lamp of the wrong, are sin.
5The plans of the hard worker lead only to plenty, But all rash haste only to poverty.
6Gaining treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapour, heading for death.
7The spoil of the wrong catches them, Because they refused to do right-ruling.
8The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the innocent, his work is right.
9It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10The desire of the wrong is set upon evil; His neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The righteous one understands the house of the wrong; He overthrows the wrong for their evil.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, Let him also cry and not be heard.
14A gift in secret subdues displeasure, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15To do right-ruling is joy to the righteous, But ruin to the workers of wickedness.
16A man who strays from the way of understanding, Rests in the assembly of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure is a poor man; He who loves wine and oil does not become rich.
18The wrong is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous for the straight.
19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and vexed woman.
20Desirable treasure and oil, Are in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving-commitment Finds life, righteousness and esteem.
22A wise one scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Guards his life from distresses.
24Proud, haughty, “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.
25The desire of the lazy man slays him, For his hands refused to work.
26He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not withhold.
27The slaughtering of the wrong is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wickedness!
28A false witness perishes, But the man who obeys speaks forever.
29A wrong man hardens his face, But as for the straight, he establishes his way.
30There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against יהוה.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the deliverance is of יהוה.
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