Proverbs 21

EasyEnglish Bible

21 The Lord controls the things that a king decides to do.
    He can change the king's thoughts, like the direction of a stream.
² People think that everything they do is right,
    but the Lord knows exactly why they are doing it.
³ If you do what is right and fair,
    it pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
⁴ Wicked people are proud and they boast.
    Sin is their guide through life.
⁵ A careful person makes good plans
    and he has everything that he needs.
But anyone who works in a hurry will soon become poor.
⁶ If you deceive people to become rich,
    it will soon all disappear.
    It will lead you to an early death.
⁷ When wicked people do violent things, it destroys them.
    They refuse to do what is right.
⁸ Guilty people are always going the wrong way.
    Good people keep on the right way.
⁹ It is better to live on the roof of your house
    than to live with a wife who always argues.
¹⁰ Evil things are the food that wicked people eat to live.
    They are not kind to anyone, even their friends.
¹¹ When a proud person receives punishment,
    silly people become wise.
When you teach a wise person,
    he learns more knowledge.
¹² The Righteous One knows what happens in the homes of wicked people.^[a]
    He punishes them as they deserve.
¹³ If you refuse to listen when poor people ask for help,
    you too will receive no help when you need it.
¹⁴ If someone is angry with you, give him a gift secretly.
    A secret bribe will make him quiet, even if he is very angry.
¹⁵ When there is justice, righteous people are happy,
    but wicked people are afraid.
¹⁶ If someone decides to turn away from wisdom,
    he will soon be in his grave.
¹⁷ Anyone who loves only pleasure will become poor.
    People who love wine and big feasts will never become rich.
¹⁸ When trouble comes,
    wicked people receive the pain instead of righteous people.
¹⁹ It is better to live alone in a desert
    than to live with a wife who quarrels and complains.
²⁰ Wise people store valuable things and good food in their houses.
    But foolish people waste everything immediately.
²¹ If you are kind and faithful, you will live a long life!
    Other people will respect you and they will be kind to you.
²² A wise person can win against a city that is full of strong men.
    He can destroy the strong place that they trust to keep them safe.
²³ If you want to keep away from trouble,
    always be careful about what you say.
²⁴ If you are proud, people will call you ‘Boaster’,
    because you think that you are better than all other people.
²⁵ Lazy people want many things but they refuse to work,
    so they are killing themselves.
²⁶ They think only about more things that they want for themselves.
    But righteous people are happy to give their things to other people.
²⁷ The Lord hates it
    when wicked people offer sacrifices to him.
He hates it even more
    when they do it with an evil purpose.
²⁸ Anyone who tells lies in court will come to nothing.
    But if someone listens to the truth, his report will remain for ever.
²⁹ Wicked people do not show what they are really thinking.
    But righteous people think carefully about what they are doing.
³⁰ There is no wisdom, no knowledge and no advice
    that can win against the Lord.
³¹ You can prepare your horses to fight in a battle,
    but only the Lord can help you to win.