Proverbs 21 — NETB

21Verse 1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water;
he turns it wherever he wants.
^{Verse 2}All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.
^{Verse 3}To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
^{Verse 4}Haughty eyes and a proud heart –
the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.
^{Verse 5}The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
^{Verse 6}Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth;
they seek death.
^{Verse 7}The violence done by the wicked will drag them away
because they refuse to do what is right.
^{Verse 8}The way of the guilty person is devious,
but as for the pure, his way is upright.
^{Verse 9}It is better to live on a corner of the housetop
than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
^{Verse 10}The appetite of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.
^{Verse 11}When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise;
when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
^{Verse 12}The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
^{Verse 13}The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and will not be answered.
^{Verse 14}A gift given in secret subdues anger,
and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.
^{Verse 15}Doing justice brings joy to the righteous
and terror to those who do evil.
^{Verse 16}The one who wanders from the way of wisdom
will end up in the company of the departed.
^{Verse 17}The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person;
whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
^{Verse 18}The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.
^{Verse 19}It is better to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.
^{Verse 20}There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish person devours all he has.
^{Verse 21}The one who pursues righteousness and love
finds life, bounty, and honor.
^{Verse 22}The wise person can scale the city of the mighty
and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.
^{Verse 23}The one who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his life from troubles.
^{Verse 24}A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,”
acts with overbearing pride.
^{Verse 25}What the sluggard desires will kill him,
for his hands refuse to work.
^{Verse 26}All day long he craves greedily,
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
^{Verse 27}The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
^{Verse 28}A lying witness will perish,
but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.
^{Verse 29}A wicked person shows boldness with his face,
but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.
^{Verse 30}There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,
and there is no counsel against the Lord.
^{Verse 31}A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory is from the Lord.