21:1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.
21:1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.
21:2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the LORD weighs the heart.

21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the lamp of the wicked--are sin.

21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.

21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

21:7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
21:7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.

21:8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
21:8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.

21:9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
21:9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.

21:10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
21:10 The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.

21:11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
21:11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.

21:12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.
21:12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.

21:13 He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.
21:13 If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.

21:14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
21:14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

21:15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
21:15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.

21:16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
21:16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

21:17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.

21:18 He wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

21:19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.
21:19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.

21:20 Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.
21:20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.

21:21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.
21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.

21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
21:22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.

21:23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
21:23 To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble.

21:24 "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.
21:24 The proud, haughty person, named "Scoffer," acts with arrogant pride.

21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to labor.
21:25 The craving of the lazy person is fatal, for lazy hands refuse to labor.

21:26 All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
21:26 All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back.

21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when brought with evil intent.

21:28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
21:28 A false witness will perish, but a good listener will testify successfully.

21:29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.
21:29 The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways.

21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.
21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.

21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.