Proverbs 21:1-26 ▼

1 Channels of water is the heart of a king in the hand of YHWH; upon all that He wishes, He stretches it out.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, and YHWH is measuring hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice is chosen of YHWH above sacrifice.

4 Loftiness of eyes and broadness of heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent are surely to abundance, and everyone hurrying about, surely to poverty.

6 Working for treasures by a tongue of deception is a vapor driven away of those seeking death.

7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, and for a pure one, his work is straight.

9 Better to sit on the corner of a roof, than with a woman of quarrels and a house of company.

10 The soul of a wicked one desires evil; his neighbor shall not find favor in his eyes.

11 By fining a mocker, a simple one is made wise; and in giving understanding to a wise one, he receives knowledge.

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

13 One shutting his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, and will not be answered.

14 A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong rage.

15 A joy for the righteous is doing justice, and a terror for the workers of iniquity.

16 A man wandering from the way of understanding will come to rest in the assembly of Rephaim.

17 The one loving pleasure is a man of need, the one loving wine and oil will not become rich.

18 A wicked one is a ransom for a righteous one, and the one acting treacherously for upright ones.

19 Better to dwell in a land of wilderness than with a woman of quarrels and provocation.

20 Treasure to be desired and oil are in the dwelling of a wise one, and a foolish man swallows it up.

21 One pursuing righteousness and loving devotion will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise one ascends a city of mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold of its confidence.

23 The one guarding his mouth and his tongue is guarding his soul from distress.

24 The arrogant and haughty one—Mocker is his name—he is acting in the outpouring of pride.

25 The desire of the lazy one brings him death, for his hands refuse to work.

26 All the day he has desired his desire and the righteous one gives and does not withhold.