proverbs ch 21

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Proverbs 21New International Version (NIV)



21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
    that he channels toward all who please him.
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
    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 unplowed field of the wicked—produce 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.[a]
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 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.
12 The Righteous One[b] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also 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 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
    comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and olive 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 nagging wife.
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] and honor.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.
24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—
    behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard 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,
    but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their 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.

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
   

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.




 






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