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.1 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death |
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 One2 21:12 Or The righteous man 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, prosperity3 21:21 Or righteousness 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.4 21:28 Or / but the words of an obedient man will live on |
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 . |
