Proverbs 21

New International Version

• 1. The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
• 2. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
• 3. To do what is right and just 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 to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
• 6. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
• 7. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
• 8. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
• 9. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
• 10. The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him.
• 11. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.
• 12. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
• 13. If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
• 14. A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
• 15. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
• 16. A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.
• 17. He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
• 18. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
• 19. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.
• 20. In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
• 21. He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
• 22. A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
• 23. He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
• 24. The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.
• 25. The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
• 26. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
• 27. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable- how much more so when brought with evil intent!
• 28. A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.
• 29. A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
• 30. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
• 31. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.

New International Version