Proverbs 21

1 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the  Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever he chooses.  * 21:1 Ezr 6:22

2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,

but the Lord weighs hearts.  * 21:2 Pr 12:15; 16:2; 17:3; 24:12; Lk 16:15

3 Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the  Lord than sacrifice.  * 21:3 1Sm 15:22; Pr 15:8; Hs 6:6; Mc 6:7–8; Mt 9:13

4 The lamp that guides the wicked —

haughty eyes and an arrogant heart  * 21:4 Ps 101:5; Pr 6:16–17; 30:13  — is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,

but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.  * 21:5 Pr 10:4; 14:23; 21:20; 28:22

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist,  * 21:6 Or a breath blown away a pursuit of death.  * 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death,* 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death,* 21:6 Pr 8:36; 13:11; 20:21

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away

because they refuse to act justly.

8 A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,  * 21:8 Pr 2:15

but the behavior of the innocent is upright.  * 21:8 Pr 20:11

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof

than to share a house with a nagging wife.  * 21:9 Pr 15:16–17; 17:1; 21:19; 25:24

10 A wicked person desires evil;

he has no consideration  * 21:10 Orfavor for his neighbor.  * 21:10 Pr 14:21

11 When a mocker is punished,

the inexperienced become wiser;

when one teaches a wise man,

he acquires knowledge.  * 21:11 Pr 19:25

12 The Righteous One  * 21:12 Or righteous one considers the house of the wicked;

he brings the wicked to ruin.

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

will himself also call out and not be answered.  * 21:13 Pr 14:31; 17:5; Mt 18:30–34; Jms 2:13; 1Jn 3:17

14 A secret gift soothes anger,

and a covert bribe, fierce rage.  * 21:14 Pr 17:8; 18:16; 19:6

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous

but a terror to evildoers.  * 21:15 Pr 10:29; Rm 13:3

16 The person who strays from the way of prudence

will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.  * 21:16 Ps 49:14; Pr 2:18; 9:18

17 The one who loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.  * 21:17 Ec 2:1–3,10–11

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous, for  * 21:18 Or in place of  the upright.  * 21:18 Pr 11:8; Is 43:3

19 Better to live in a wilderness

than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.  * 21:19 Pr 21:9

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,

but a fool consumes them.  * 21:20 Lit it,* 21:20 Jb 20:15,18; Ps 112:3; Pr 10:4; 28:20; Mt 25:1–13

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love

will find life, righteousness, and honor.  * 21:21 Pr 3:16; 8:18; 15:9; Mt 5:6; 6:33

22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down its secure fortress.  * 21:22 2Sm 5:6–9; Pr 14:26; 24:5; Ec 7:19; 9:14–18

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.  * 21:23 Pr 12:13; 13:3; Jms 3:2

24 The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker,"

acts with excessive arrogance.  * 21:24 Ps 1:1; Pr 1:22; 21:11

25 A slacker’s craving will kill him

because his hands refuse to work.  * 21:25 Pr 10:4; 12:24; 13:4; 19:15,24

26 He is filled with craving  * 21:26 Lit He craves a craving all day long,

but the righteous give and don’t hold back.  * 21:26 Ps 37:26; Pr 11:24–25

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable —

how much more so

when he brings it with ulterior motives!  * 21:27 Pr 15:8; 28:9; Is 66:3

28 A lying witness will perish,  * 21:28 Pr 19:5,9

but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked person puts on a bold face,  * 21:29 Pr 7:13

but the upright one considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel

will prevail against the  Lord.  * 21:30 Is 8:9–10; 1Co 3:19–20

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,  * 21:31 Ps 20:7; 33:17; 108:10–13; Is 31:1

but victory comes from the  Lord.  * 21:31 Jr 3:23; 1Co 15:57