Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.⋮

2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.⋮

3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.⋮

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

5 The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.⋮

6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.⋮

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

8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.⋮

9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.⋮

10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.⋮

11 When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.⋮

12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.⋮

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.⋮

14 A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.⋮

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.⋮

16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.⋮

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.⋮

18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.⋮

19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.⋮

20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.⋮

21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.⋮

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.⋮

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.⋮

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

25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.⋮

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

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.⋮

28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.⋮

29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.⋮

30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.⋮

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