Proverbs 21:1-31
21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand.+
He directs it wherever He pleases.+
2 All of a man’s ways seem right to him,+But Jehovah examines the hearts.*+
3 To do what is right and justIs more pleasing to Jehovah than a sacrifice.+
4 Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—The lamp that guides the wicked is sin.+
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to success,*+But all who are hasty surely head for poverty.+
6 Gaining treasures by a lying tongueIs like a vanishing mist, a deadly snare.*+
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,+For they refuse to act with justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked,But the activity of the pure man is upright.+
9 Better to dwell on a corner of the roofThan in the same house with a quarrelsome* wife.+
10 The wicked man* craves what is bad;+He shows no favor toward his neighbor.+
11 When a ridiculer is punished, the inexperienced become wiser,And when a wise person receives insight, he gains knowledge.*+
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked one;He overthrows the wicked to their ruin.+
13 Whoever stops up his ear to the cry of the lowly oneWill himself call and not be answered.+
14 A secret gift subdues anger,+And a hidden bribe,* fierce rage.
15 It is a joy for the righteous one to act with justice,+But it is something terrible to those who practice evil.
16 The man who strays from the way of insightWill rest in the company of those powerless in death.+
17 The one who loves having a good time* will come to poverty;+The one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich.
18 The wicked one is a ransom for the righteous one,And the treacherous one will be taken in place of the upright.+
19 Better to dwell in the wildernessThan with a quarrelsome* and irritable wife.+
20 Precious treasure and oil are found in the house of the wise,+But the stupid man will squander* what he has.+
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and loyal loveWill find life, righteousness, and glory.+
22 A wise man can scale* the city of the mightyAnd undermine the strength in which they trust.+
23 The one guarding his mouth and his tongueKeeps himself* out of trouble.+
24 A presumptuous, arrogant braggart is what you callThe man who acts with reckless presumptuousness.+
25 What the lazy man craves will put him to death,For his hands refuse to work.+
26 All day long he greedily craves,But the righteous one gives, holding nothing back.+
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable.+
How much more when he offers it with evil intent!*
28 A lying witness will perish,+But the man who listens will testify with success.*
29 The wicked man puts on a bold face,+But it is the upright one whose course is sure.*+
30 There is no wisdom, nor discernment, nor counsel in opposition to Jehovah.+
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,+But salvation belongs to Jehovah.+
Footnotes
^ Or “motives.”
^ Or “advantage.”
^ Or possibly, “for those seeking death.”
^ Or “nagging.”
^ Or “The soul of the wicked one.”
^ Or “he knows what to do.”
^ Lit., “a bribe in the bosom.”
^ Or “loves pleasure.”
^ Or “nagging.”
^ Lit., “swallow.”
^ Or “prevail over.”
^ Or “his soul.”
^ Or “along with shameful conduct!”
^ Lit., “speak forever.”
^ Or “who makes his way sure.”