21

  1In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
   that he channels toward all who please him.

  2A person may think their own ways are right,
   but the Lord weighs the heart.

  3To do what is right and just
   is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

  4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
   the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

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

  6A fortune made by a lying tongue
   is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.⚓

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

  8The way of the guilty is devious,
   but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

  9Better to live on a corner of the roof
   than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

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

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

  12The Righteous One⚓ takes note of the house of the wicked
   and brings the wicked to ruin.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  21Whoever pursues righteousness and love
   finds life, prosperity⚓ and honor.

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

  23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
   keep themselves from calamity.

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

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

  27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—
   how much more so when brought with evil intent!

  28A false witness will perish,
   but a careful listener will testify successfully.

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

  30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
   that can succeed against the Lord.

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

21

  1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
   Like the rivers of water;
   He turns it wherever He wishes.
   2⚓Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
   ⚓But the Lord weighs the hearts.
   3⚓To do righteousness and justice
   Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
   4⚓A haughty look, a proud heart,
   And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
   5⚓The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
   But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
   6⚓Getting treasures by a lying tongue
   Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
   7The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
   Because they refuse to do justice.
   8The way of a guilty man is perverse;
   But as for the pure, his work is right.
   9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
   Than in a house shared with ⚓a contentious woman.
   10⚓The soul of the wicked desires evil;
   His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
   11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
   But when the ⚓wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
   12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
   Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
   13⚓Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
   Will also cry himself and not be heard.
   14A gift in secret pacifies anger,
   And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
   15It is a joy for the just to do justice,
   But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
   16A man who wanders from the way of understanding
   Will rest in the assembly of the ⚓dead.
   17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
   He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
   18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
   And the unfaithful for the upright.
   19Better to dwell in the wilderness,
   Than with a contentious and angry woman.
   20⚓There is desirable treasure,
   And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
   But a foolish man squanders it.
   21⚓He who follows righteousness and mercy
   Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
   22A ⚓wise man scales the city of the mighty,
   And brings down the trusted stronghold.
   23⚓Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
   Keeps his soul from troubles.
   24A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
   He acts with arrogant pride.
   25The ⚓desire of the lazy man kills him,
   For his hands refuse to labor.
    26He covets greedily all day long,
   But the righteous ⚓gives and does not spare.
   27⚓The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
   How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
   28A false witness shall perish,
   But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
   29A wicked man hardens his face,
   But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
   30⚓There is no wisdom or understanding
   Or counsel against the Lord.
   31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
   But ⚓deliverance is of the Lord.