PROVERBS 21

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will.⋮

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.⋮

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.⋮

4 An high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.⋮

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.⋮

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.⋮

7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.⋮

8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.⋮

9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.⋮

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.⋮

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.⋮

12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; how the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.⋮

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.⋮

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.⋮

15 It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.⋮

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.⋮

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.⋮

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.⋮

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.⋮

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.⋮

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.⋮

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.⋮

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.⋮

24 The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.⋮

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.⋮

26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.⋮

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!⋮

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.⋮

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.⋮

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.⋮

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,⋮