Proverbs 21

The King’s Heart

^{verse 1}The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD;

He directs it where He pleases.

^{verse 2}All a man’s ways seem right to him,

but the LORD weighs the heart.

^{verse 3}To do righteousness and justice

is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

^{verse 4}Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

the guides of the wicked— are sin.

^{verse 5}The plans of the diligent bring plenty,

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

^{verse 6}Making a fortune by a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

^{verse 7}The violence of the wicked will sweep them away

because they refuse to do what is just.

^{verse 8}The way of a guilty man is crooked,

but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

^{verse 9}Better to live on a corner of the roof

than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

^{verse 10}The soul of the wicked man craves evil;

his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

^{verse 11}When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;

and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

^{verse 12}The Righteous One^a considers the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin.

^{verse 13}Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,

he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

^{verse 14}A gift in secret soothes anger,

and a covert bribe^b pacifies great wrath.

^{verse 15}Justice executed is a joy to the righteous,

but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

^{verse 16}The man who strays from the path of understanding

will rest in the assembly of the dead.

^{verse 17}He who loves pleasure will become poor;

the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

^{verse 18}The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the faithless for the upright.

^{verse 19}Better to live in the desert

than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

^{verse 20}Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise,

but a foolish man consumes them.

^{verse 21}He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion

finds life, righteousness, and honor.

^{verse 22}A wise man scales the city of the mighty

and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

^{verse 23}He who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps his soul from distress.

^{verse 24}Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man —

of him who acts with excessive pride.

^{verse 25}The craving of the slacker kills him

because his hands refuse to work.

^{verse 26}All day long he covets more,

but the righteous give without restraint.

^{verse 27}The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—

how much more so when brought with ill intent!

^{verse 28}A lying witness will perish,

but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

^{verse 29}A wicked man hardens his face,^c

but the upright man makes his way sure.

^{verse 30}There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel

that can prevail against the LORD.

^{verse 31}A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but victory is of the LORD.