Proverbs 21:1-31
[1]THE KING’S heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.
[2]Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts. [Prov. 24:12; Luke 16:15.]
[3]To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. [I Sam. 15:22; Prov. 15:8; Isa. 1:11; Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:7, 8.]
[4]Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp [of joy] to them [whatever it may be], are sin [in the eyes of God].
[5]The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.
[6]Securing treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death.
[7]The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.
[8]The way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right and his conduct is straight.
[9]It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.
[10]The soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. [James 2:16.]
[11]When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of [godly] Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed.
[12]The [uncompromisingly] righteous man considers well the house of the wickedโhow the wicked are cast down to ruin.
[13]Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard. [Matt. 18:30-34; James 2:13.]
[14]A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.
[15]When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.
[16]A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).
[17]He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
[18]The wicked become a ransom for the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and the treacherous for the upright [because the wicked themselves fall into the traps and pits they have dug for the good].
[19]It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.
[20]There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
[21]He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. [Prov. 15:9; Matt. 5:6.]
[22]A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. [23]He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. [Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; James 3:2.]
[24]The proud and haughty manโScoffer is his nameโdeals and acts with overbearing pride.
[25]The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
[26]He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]
[27]The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent [to the Lord]โhow much more when he brings it with evil intention?
[28]A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.
[29]A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt], but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].
[30]There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
[31]The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.

