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On Life and Conduct

21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He turns it whichever way He wishes.(A)

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].(B)

To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].(C)

Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart,
The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].

The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage,
But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.

Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.

The violence of the wicked will [return to them and] drag them away [like fish caught in a net],
Because they refuse to act with justice.

The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather]
Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.
10 
The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance];
His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes.(D)
11 
When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise;
But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.(E)
12 
The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked—
How the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13 
Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor
Will cry out himself and not be answered.(F)
14 
A gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.
15 
When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God),
But to the evildoers it is disaster.
16 
A man who wanders from the way of understanding (godly wisdom)
Will remain in the assembly of the dead.
17 
He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man;
He who loves and is devoted to [a]wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.
18 
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].
19 
It is better to dwell in a desert land
Than with a contentious and troublesome woman.
20 
There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future],
But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
21 
He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.(G)
22 
A wise man scales the city [walls] of the mighty
And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 
He who guards his mouth and his tongue
Guards himself from troubles.(H)
24 
“Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names
Who acts with overbearing and insolent pride.
25 
The desire of the lazy kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor;
26 
He craves all the day long [and does no work],
But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].(I)
27 
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable and offensive [to the Lord].
How much more [unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention?
28 
A false witness will perish,
But a man who listens to the truth will speak forever and go unchallenged.
29 
A wicked man puts on a bold face,
But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].
30 
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding
Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
31 
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance and victory belong to the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:17 I.e. items associated with lavish feasting and excessive luxury.

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
    that he channels toward all who please him.(A)

A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.(B)

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(C)

Haughty eyes(D) and a proud heart—
    the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

The plans of the diligent lead to profit(E)
    as surely as haste leads to poverty.

A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[a](F)

The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(G)
    for they refuse to do what is right.

The way of the guilty is devious,(H)
    but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(I)

10 The wicked crave evil;
    their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(J)

12 The Righteous One[b] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.(K)

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(L) and not be answered.(M)

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
    and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(N)

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.(O)

16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
    comes to rest in the company of the dead.(P)

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(Q)

18 The wicked become a ransom(R) for the righteous,
    and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert
    than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(S)

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[c](T) and honor.(U)

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(V)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 Those who guard their mouths(W) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.(X)

24 The proud and arrogant person(Y)—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.

25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(Z)
    because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
    but the righteous(AA) give without sparing.(AB)

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(AC)
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!(AD)

28 A false witness(AE) will perish,(AF)
    but a careful listener will testify successfully.

29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.(AG)

30 There is no wisdom,(AH) no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.(AI)

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.(AJ)

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
  2. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
  3. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness