Proverbs 21

1The king's heart is like a stream of water in the LORD's hand; the LORD directs it wherever the LORD wants.

2Every way of a person seems right in that person's own eyes, but the LORD examines the heart.

3Doing what is just and right pleases the LORD more than sacrifice.

4Proud eyes and an arrogant heart — the lamp that guides the wicked — are sin.

5The plans of a hard worker lead only to profit, but everyone who is hasty ends only in poverty.

6Wealth gained by a lying tongue is like a fleeting mist, a deadly trap for those who seek it.

7The violence of the wicked will destroy the wicked, because the wicked refuse to do what is right.

8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The wicked person craves evil; that wicked person's neighbor finds no mercy in that wicked person's eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple become wise; when the wise are instructed, the wise gain knowledge.

12A righteous person carefully watches the house of the wicked, but God brings the wicked to ruin for their wickedness.

13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

14A secret gift calms anger, and a hidden bribe calms great wrath.

15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who do wrong.

16Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will end up in the company of the dead.

17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and luxury will never be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous for the honest.

19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome, ill-tempered wife.

20The wise have precious treasure and olive oil in their homes, but a foolish person swallows up everything that foolish person has.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise person can scale a city defended by warriors and bring down the fortress the warriors trusted.

23Whoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps themselves out of trouble.

24A proud and arrogant person — Mocker is that person's name — acts with overflowing pride.

25The craving of a lazy person will kill that lazy person, because that lazy person's hands refuse to work.

26All day long the greedy person craves more, but the righteous person gives without holding back.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is disgusting to the LORD — even more so when brought with an evil motive.

28A false witness will perish, but a truthful witness will speak on and endure.

29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but an honest person thinks carefully about that honest person's own ways.

30No wisdom, no understanding, no plan can succeed against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.