Proverbs 21
21
1 Streams of water are the heart#Or “mind” of a king in the hand of Yahweh;
wherever#Literally “upon all that” he will desire, he will turn.
2Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs hearts.#Or “minds”
3Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable
to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4Haughtiness of the eyes and pride of heart,
the lamp of the wicked are sin.
5The plans of the diligent only lead to abundance,
but all who are hasty, only to want.
6He who makes treasure by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and seeker#Hebrew “seekers” of death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
for they refuse to do justice.
8Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner,
but the pure is upright in his conduct.
9Better to dwell on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a woman#Or “wife” of contention.
10The soul#Or “soul, life, throat” of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor will not find mercy in his eyes.
11With the punishment of a scoffer, the simple will become wise,
and with the instruction of the wise, he will obtain knowledge.
12The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked to ruin.
13He who closes his ear from the cry of the poor,
he also will cry out and not be heard.
14A gift in secret#Hebrew “the secret” will avert anger,#Literally “nostril”
and a concealed bribe,#Literally “bribe in the bosom” strong wrath.
15It is a joy to the righteous to do justice,
but dismay to those who do evil.
16Whoever wanders from the way of understanding,
in the assembly of the dead#Or “Rephaim” he will rest.
17A man of want is he who loves pleasure;
he who loves wine and oil#Or “fat” will not become rich.
18A ransom for the righteous is the wicked,
and the faithless instead of the upright.
19Better to live in a land of wilderness
than with a wife of quarrels and provocation.
20Precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise,
but the foolish person#Or “foolish of mankind” will devour them.#Literally “it”
21He who pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22To a city of warriors, the wise ascends,
and he will bring down the stronghold—its object of trust.
23He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
he guards his life#Or “soul,” or “inner self” from danger.
24The proud, haughty one: “scoffer” is his name;
he acts with arrogance of pride.
25The craving of a lazy person will kill him,
for his hands refuse to work.#Or “make”
26All day#Literally “All the day” he craves a craving,
but the righteous will give and not hold back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it in divisiveness!
28A false witness will perish,
but a man who listens will testify with#Hebrew “to the” success.
29A wicked man is strong in his countenance,#Literally “his face”
but the upright will appoint his paths.
30There is no wisdom, nor understanding,
nor counsel to oppose Yahweh.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but to Yahweh belongs the victory.
2010 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software