Proverbs chapter 21 The king's heart is a stream
of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in
his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness
and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty
eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. The plans of the diligent lead
surely to abundance. But everyone who is hasty comes
only to poverty. The getting of treasures by a
lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. The violence
of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do
what is just. The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright. It is better to live
in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome
wife. The soul of the wicked desires
evil. His neighbor finds no mercy in
his eyes. When a scoffer is punished, the
simple becomes wise. When a wise man is instructed,
he gains knowledge. The Righteous One observes the
house of the wicked. He throws the wicked down to
ruin. Whoever closes his ear to the
cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe strong wrath. When justice is done,
it is a joy to the righteous, but terror to evildoers. One who wanders from the way
of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. Whoever
loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil
will not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the
righteous, and the traitor for the upright. It is better to
live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. Precious treasure and oil are
in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness
and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scales the city of
the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Scoffer is the name of the arrogant,
haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the sluggard
kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves
and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of the wicked is
an abomination, how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears
will endure. A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright gives thought to his ways. No wisdom, no understanding,
no counsel can avail against the The horse is made ready for
the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.