Proverbs 21:1–31

¹A king’s heart is as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah. Everywhere that he delights to, he turns it.

²Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes, but Jehovah is making an estimate of hearts.

³To carry on righteousness and judgment is more preferable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

⁴Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart, the lamp of the wicked ones, are sin.

⁵The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage, but everyone that is hasty surely heads for want.

⁶The getting of treasures by a false tongue is an exhalation driven away, in the case of those seeking death.

⁷The very despoiling by the wicked ones will drag them away, for they have refused to do justice.

⁸A man, even a stranger, is crooked in [his] way; but the pure one is upright in his activity.

⁹Better is it to dwell upon a corner of a roof than with a contentious wife, although in a house in common.

¹⁰The very soul of the wicked one has craved what is bad; his fellow will be shown no favor in his eyes.

¹¹By the laying of a fine on the ridiculer the inexperienced becomes wise; and by one’s giving insight to a wise person he gets knowledge.

¹²The Righteous One is giving consideration to the house of the wicked one, subverting the wicked ones to [their] calamity.

¹³As for anyone stopping up his ear from the complaining cry of the lowly one, he himself also will call and not be answered.

¹⁴A gift made in secrecy subdues anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong rage.

¹⁵It is a rejoicing for the righteous one to do justice, but there is something terrible for those practicing what is hurtful.

¹⁶As for a man wandering from the way of insight, he will rest in the very congregation of those impotent in death.

¹⁷He that is loving merriment will be an individual in want; he that is loving wine and oil will not gain riches.

¹⁸The wicked is a ransom for the righteous one; and the one dealing treacherously takes the place of the upright ones.

¹⁹Better is it to dwell in a wilderness land than with a contentious wife along with vexation.

²⁰Desirable treasure and oil are in the abode of the wise one, but the man that is stupid will swallow it up.

²¹He that is pursuing righteousness and loving‐kindness will find life, righteousness and glory.

²²A wise one has scaled even the city of mighty men, that he might bring down the strength of its confidence.

²³He that is keeping his mouth and his tongue is keeping his soul from distresses.

²⁴Presumptuous, self‐assuming braggart is the name of the one who is acting in a fury of presumptuousness.

²⁵The very craving of the lazy will put him to death, for his hands have refused to work.²⁶All the day he has shown himself eagerly craving, but the righteous one gives and holds nothing back.

²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked ones is something detestable. How much more so when one brings it along with loose conduct.

²⁸A lying witness will perish, but the man that is listening will speak even forever.

²⁹A wicked man has put on a bold face, but the upright is the one that will firmly establish his ways.

³⁰There is no wisdom, nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to Jehovah.

³¹The horse is something prepared for the day of battle, but salvation belongs to Jehovah.