Proverbs 21

1The king’s heart is streams of water in Yahweh’s hand; he turns it wherever he pleases.

2Every way of a person is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs hearts.

3Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the lamp of the wicked—are sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to want.

6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor blown away; those who do it are seeking death.

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.

9Better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10The soul of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple become wise; when the wise is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12The righteous one observes the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked into ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.

14A gift in secret calms anger, and a bribe under the cloak, fierce wrath.

15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

16A person who wanders from the way of insight will come to rest in the company of the dead.

17Whoever loves pleasure will come to want; whoever loves wine and oil will not grow rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous take the place of the upright.

19Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable wife.

20Precious treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, but a foolish person swallows them up.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise person scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold they trust in.

23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards himself from troubles.

24The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—acts with overflowing pride.

25The lazy person’s craving will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

28A lying witness will perish, but whoever listens will speak with lasting effect.

29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright person gives thought to his way.

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel that can stand against Yahweh.

31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to Yahweh.