21:1 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD;
He turns it wherever He pleases.
21:2 Every person’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD examines the hearts.
21:3 To do righteousness and justice
Is preferred by the LORD more than sacrifice.
21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
21:5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to advantage,
But everyone who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.
21:6 The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the ①pursuit of death.
▷ ①Lit seekers
21:7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
Because they refuse to act with justice.
21:8 The way of a guilty person is crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
21:9 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
Than ①in a house shared with a contentious woman.
▷ ①Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of association
21:10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor is shown no compassion in his eyes.
21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
21:12 The ①righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
Bringing the wicked to ruin.
▷ ①Or Righteous One
21:13 One who shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor
Will also call out himself, and not be answered.
21:14 A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe ①in an inside pocket, strong wrath.
▷ ①Lit a fold in a robe; i.e., secretly
21:15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,
But terror to those who practice injustice.
21:16 A person who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the ①dead.
▷ ①Lit departed spirits
21:17 One who loves pleasure will become a poor person;
One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.
21:19 It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and irritating woman.
21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the home of the wise,
But a foolish person swallows it up.
21:21 One who pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
21:22 A wise person scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the ①stronghold in which they trust.
▷ ①Lit strength of trust
21:23 One who guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
21:24 “Proud,” “Arrogant,” “Scoffer,” are his names,
One who acts with insolent pride.
21:25 The desire of the ①lazy one puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work;
▷ ①Lit idle
21:26 All day long he ①is craving,
While the righteous gives and does not hold back.
▷ ①Lit desires desire
21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
21:28 A false witness will perish,
But a person who listens will speak forever.
21:29 A wicked person ①displays a bold face,
But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
▷ ①Lit makes firm with his face
21:30 There is no wisdom, no understanding,
And no ①plan against the LORD.
▷ ①Or advice
21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But the victory belongs to the LORD.