Proverbs 21
21
1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
8The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is right.
9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself cry out and not be heard.
14A gift in secret averts anger;
and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous,
but dismay to evildoers.
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 is a ransom for the righteous,
and the faithless for the upright.
19It is better to live in a desert land
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20Precious treasure remains#21.20 Gk: Heb and oil in a wise man's dwelling,
but a foolish man devours it.
21He who pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life#21.21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23He who keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
24“Scoffer” is the name of the proud, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
25The desire of the sluggard kills him
for his hands refuse to labor.
26All day long the wicked covets,#21.26 Gk: Heb all day long he covets covetously
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but an upright man considers#21.29 Another reading is establishes his ways.
30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel,
can avail against the Lord.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
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Proverbs 21: RSV-C
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America
