Proverbs 21

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he turns it wherever he will.
² Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.
³ To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
    the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
⁶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
⁸ The way of the guilty is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is right.
⁹ It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
¹¹ When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
¹² The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
    the wicked are cast down to ruin.
¹³ He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself cry out and not be heard.
¹⁴ A gift in secret averts anger;
    and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous,
    but dismay to evildoers.
¹⁶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding
    will rest in the assembly of the dead.
¹⁷ He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
    and the faithless for the upright.
¹⁹ It is better to live in a desert land
    than with a contentious and fretful woman.
²⁰ Precious treasure remains^[a] in a wise man’s dwelling,
    but a foolish man devours it.
²¹ He who pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life^[b] and honor.
²² A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
²³ He who keeps his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.
²⁴ “Scoffer” is the name of the proud, haughty man
    who acts with arrogant pride.
²⁵ The desire of the sluggard kills him
    for his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ All day long the wicked covets,^[c]
    but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
²⁸ A false witness will perish,
    but the word of a man who hears will endure.
²⁹ A wicked man puts on a bold face,
    but an upright man considers^[d] his ways.
³⁰ No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel,
    can avail against the Lord.
³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but the victory belongs to the Lord.