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21 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.

Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.

Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.

The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.

The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.

Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright [is] his work.

Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.

10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.

12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.

15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.

16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.

17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.

18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.

19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.

20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.

21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.

24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.

25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.

26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.

28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.

29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.

30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.

31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
    that he channels toward all who please him.(A)

A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.(B)

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(C)

Haughty eyes(D) and a proud heart—
    the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit(E)
    as surely as haste leads to poverty.

A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[a](F)

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(G)
    for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,(H)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(I)

10 The wicked crave evil;
    their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(J)

12 The Righteous One[b] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.(K)

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(L) and not be answered.(M)

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
    and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(N)

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.(O)

16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
    comes to rest in the company of the dead.(P)

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(Q)

18 The wicked become a ransom(R) for the righteous,
    and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert
    than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(S)

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[c](T) and honor.(U)

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(V)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 Those who guard their mouths(W) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.(X)

24 The proud and arrogant person(Y)—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.

25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(Z)
    because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous(AA) give without sparing.(AB)

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(AC)
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!(AD)

28 A false witness(AE) will perish,(AF)
    but a careful listener will testify successfully.

29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.(AG)

30 There is no wisdom,(AH) no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.(AI)

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
  2. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
  3. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness