Chapter 21
1 The king ’s heart is in the LORD ’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires .
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes , but the LORD weighs the hearts .
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice .
4 A high look and a proud heart , the lamp of the wicked , is sin .
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit ; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty .
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death .
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away , because they refuse to do what is right .
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright .
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman .
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil ; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes .
11 When the mocker is punished , the simple gains wisdom . When the wise is instructed , he receives knowledge .
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked , and brings the wicked to ruin .
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor , he will also cry out , but shall not be heard .
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger , and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath .
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice ; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits .
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich .
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous , the treacherous for the upright .
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise , but a foolish man swallows it up .
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life , righteousness , and honor .
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty , and brings down the strength of its confidence .
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles .
24 The proud and arrogant man—"Scoffer" is his name — he works in the arrogance of pride .
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him , for his hands refuse to labor .
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long ; but the righteous give and don’t withhold .
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination — how much more , when he brings it with a wicked mind !
28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wicked man hardens his face ; but as for the upright , he establishes his ways .
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD .
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle ; but victory is with the LORD .