Proverbs 21

English Standard Version

21 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he ^(A)turns it wherever he will.
^2 (B)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but the Lord ^(C)weighs the heart.
^3 (D)To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
^4 (E)Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
    ^(F)the lamp^[a] of the wicked, are sin.
⁵ The plans of ^(G)the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but everyone who is ^(H)hasty comes ^(I)only to poverty.
^6 (J)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a ^(K)fleeting ^(L)vapor and a ^(M)snare of death.^[b]
7 The violence of the wicked will ^(N)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
⁸ The way of the guilty ^(O)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.
⁹ It is ^(P)better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
¹⁰ The soul of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
¹¹ When ^(Q)a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
    when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
¹² The Righteous One ^(R)observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked down to ruin.
^13 (S)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
    will himself call out and not be answered.
^14 (T)A gift in secret averts anger,
    and a concealed bribe,^[c] strong wrath.
¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
    ^(U)but terror to evildoers.
¹⁶ One who wanders from the way of good sense
    ^(V)will rest in the assembly of the dead.
¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
    he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
^18 (W)The wicked is a ^(X)ransom for the righteous,
    and the traitor for the upright.
¹⁹ It is ^(Y)better to live in a desert land
    than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
^20 (Z)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
    but a foolish man ^(AA)devours it.
²¹ Whoever ^(AB)pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find ^(AC)life, righteousness, and honor.
^22 (AD)A wise man scales the city of the mighty
    and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
^23 (AE)Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
    ^(AF)keeps himself out of ^(AG)trouble.
^24 (AH)“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
    who acts with arrogant pride.
²⁵ The desire of ^(AI)the sluggard kills him,
    for his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ All day long he craves and craves,
    but the righteous ^(AJ)gives and does not hold back.
^27 (AK)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more ^(AL)when he brings it with evil intent.
^28 (AM)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 the upright ^(AN)gives thought to^[d] his ways.
^30 (AO)No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
    can avail against the Lord.
^31 (AP)The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but ^(AQ)the victory belongs to the Lord.