Provérbios 21

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,

Like the rivers of water;

He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 *Prov. 16:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,

*Prov. 24:12; Luke 16:15But the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 *1 Sam. 15:22; Prov. 15:8; Is. 1:11, 16, 17; Hos. 6:6; (Mic. 6:7, 8)To do righteousness and justice

Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 *Prov. 6:17A haughty look, a proud heart,

And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

5 *Prov. 10:4The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,

But thoseof everyone whois hasty, surely to poverty.

6 *2 Pet. 2:3Getting treasures by a lying tongue

Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,

Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;

But asfor the pure, his work is right.

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,

Than in a house shared with *Prov. 19:13a contentious woman.

10 *James 4:5The soul of the wicked desires evil;

His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;

But when the *Prov. 19:25wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,

Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 *(Matt. 7:2; 18:30–34); James 2:13; 1 John 3:17Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,

And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

15 Itis a joy for the just to do justice,

But destruction willcome to the workers of iniquity.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding

Will rest in the assembly of the *Ps. 49:14dead.

17 He who loves pleasure willbe a poor man;

He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked shallbe a ransom for the righteous,

And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,

Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 *Ps. 112:3; Prov. 8:21Thereis desirable treasure,

And oil in the dwelling of the wise,

But a foolish man squanders it.

21 *Prov. 15:9; Matt. 5:6; (Rom. 2:7); 1 Cor. 15:58He who follows righteousness and mercy

Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A *2 Sam. 5:6–9; Prov. 24:5; Eccl. 7:19; 9:15, 16wise man scales the city of the mighty,

And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 *Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; (James 3:2)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue

Keeps his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man— "Scoffer" is his name;

He acts with arrogant pride.

25 The *Prov. 13:4desire of the lazy man kills him,

For his hands refuse to labor.

26 He covets greedily all day long,

But the righteous *(Prov. 22:9; Eph. 4:28)gives and does not spare.

27 *Prov. 15:8; Is. 66:3; Jer. 6:20; Amos 5:22The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28 A false witness shall perish,

But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29 A wicked man hardens his face,

But asfor the upright, he establishes his way.

30 *Is. 8:9, 10; (Jer. 9:23, 24); Acts 5:39; 1 Cor. 3:19, 20Thereis no wisdom or understanding

Or counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,

But *Ps. 3:8; Jer. 3:23; (1 Cor. 15:57)deliverance is of the Lord.