Proverbs 21

The King’s Heart

1 The king’s heart like a stream in the Lord’s hand, He directs it wherever He wants.

2 A man thinks his ways right, but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 Doing right and justice pleases the Lord more than sacrifice.

4 Proud eyes and arrogant hearts, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit; haste leads to poverty.

6 Wealth by lies is a fleeting vapor, a deadly trap.

7 The violence of the wicked drags them away, because they refuse to do right.

8 The guilty walk a crooked path, but the innocent walk straight.

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

10 The wicked crave evil; they got no mercy for their neighbor.

11 When the mocker punished, the simple get smart; when the wise instructed, they gain knowledge.

12 The Righteous One observes the wicked’s house and brings the wicked to ruin.

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will cry out and not be heard.

14 A secret gift calms anger, a quiet bribe soothes rage.

15 Justice a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

16 Whoever strays from understanding rests in the company of the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure ends up poor; whoever loves wine and luxury will not get rich.

18 The wicked become ransom for the righteous, the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in the desert than with a nagging and angry woman.

20 The wise store up food and oil, but fools gulp it all down.

21 Whoever chases righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.

22 A wise man takes a city of the mighty and tears down the stronghold they trust.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.

24 Proud, arrogant, scornful, these are the names of those who act in pride.

25 The lazy’s cravings kill him, because his hands refuse to work.

26 All day long he craves, but the righteous give freely.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked detestable, especially when offered with evil motives.

28 A false witness perishes, but a truthful one speaks forever.

29 The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright stay steady.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, no plan can stand against the Lord.

31 The horse prepared for battle, but victory comes from the Lord.