Proverbs 21

New King James Version

^2 (A)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
^(B)But the Lord weighs the hearts.

^3 (C)To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

^4 (D)A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the ^[b]plowing of the wicked are sin.

^5 (E)The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

^6 (F)Getting treasures by a lying tongue
^[c]Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will ^[d]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.

⁸ The way of ^[e]a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.

⁹ Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with ^(G)a contentious woman.

^10 (H)The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the ^(I)wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹² The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

^13 (J)Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe ^[f]behind the back, strong wrath.

¹⁵ It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

¹⁶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the ^(K)dead.

¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

¹⁹ Better to dwell ^[g]in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

^20 (L)There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

^21 (M)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

²² A ^(N)wise man ^[h]scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.

^23 (O)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

²⁴ A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

²⁵ The ^(P)desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous ^(Q)gives and does not spare.

^27 (R)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

²⁸ A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he ^[i]establishes his way.

^30 (S)There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord.

³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But ^(T)deliverance is of the Lord.