Proverbs 21:1-31
21 A king’s heart is as streams of water in the hand of Jehovah.+ Everywhere that he delights to, he turns it.+
2 Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes,+ but Jehovah is making an estimate of hearts.+
3 To carry on righteousness and judgment is more preferable to Jehovah than sacrifice.+
4 Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart,+ the lamp of the wicked ones, are sin.*+
5 The plans of the diligent one surely make for advantage,+ but everyone that is hasty surely heads for want.+
6 The getting of treasures by a false tongue is an exhalation driven away,+ in the case of those seeking death.+
7 The very despoiling by the wicked ones will drag them away,+ for they have refused to do justice.+
8 A man, even a stranger, is crooked in [his] way;*+ but the pure one is upright in his activity.+
9 Better is it to dwell upon a corner of a roof+ than with a contentious wife, although in a house in common.+
10 The very soul of the wicked one has craved what is bad;+ his fellow will be shown no favor in his eyes.+
11 By the laying of a fine on the ridiculer the inexperienced becomes wise;+ and by one’s giving insight to a wise person he gets knowledge.*+
12 The Righteous One is giving consideration to the house* of the wicked one,+ subverting the wicked ones to [their] calamity.+
13 As for anyone stopping up his ear from the complaining cry of the lowly one,+ he himself also will call and not be answered.+
14 A gift made in secrecy subdues anger;+ and a bribe in the bosom,+ strong rage.
15 It is a rejoicing for the righteous one to do justice,+ but there is something terrible for those practicing what is hurtful.+
16 As for a man* wandering from the way of insight,+ he will rest in the very congregation of those impotent in death.*+
17 He that is loving merriment will be an individual in want;+ he that is loving wine and oil will not gain riches.+
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous one;+ and the one dealing treacherously takes the place of the upright ones.+
19 Better is it to dwell in a wilderness land than with a contentious wife along with vexation.+
20 Desirable treasure and oil are in the abode of the wise one,+ but the man that is stupid will swallow it up.+
21 He that is pursuing righteousness+ and loving-kindness will find life, righteousness and glory.+
22 A wise one has scaled even the city of mighty men, that he might bring down the strength of its confidence.+
23 He that is keeping his mouth and his tongue is keeping his soul from distresses.+
24 Presumptuous, self-assuming braggart is the name of the one who is acting in a fury of presumptuousness.+
25 The very craving of the lazy will put him to death, for his hands have refused to work.+
26 All the day he has shown himself eagerly craving, but the righteous one gives and holds nothing back.+
27 The sacrifice of the wicked ones is something detestable.+ How much more so when one brings it along with loose conduct.+
28 A lying witness will perish,+ but the man that is listening will speak even forever.+
29 A wicked man has put on a bold face,+ but the upright is the one that will firmly establish his ways.+
30 There is no wisdom, nor any discernment, nor any counsel in opposition to Jehovah.+
31 The horse is something prepared for the day of battle,+ but salvation belongs to Jehovah.+
Footnotes
^ Or, “are [more preferable to them than] a sin offering.”
^ Or, “The way of a man, even a stranger, is crooked”; or, “The way of a man is crooked and strange.”
^ “And by acting with discretion the wise one gets knowledge,” T.
^ Or, “is acting discreetly toward the house.”
^ Or, “earthling man.” Heb., ʼa·dhamʹ.
^ “Those impotent in death.” Heb., repha·ʼimʹ; TSy, “the sons of earth”; LXXVg, “giants.”
