Proverbs 21
Modern English Version
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
as the rivers of water; He turns it to any place He will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A high look, a proud heart,
and the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty,
but of everyone who is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a vanity tossed back and forth by those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is perverse;
but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise;
and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked,
but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor,
he also will cry himself, but will not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a concealed bribe strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do justice,
but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
will remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked will be a ransom for the righteous,
and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness
than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man squanders it.
21 He who follows after righteousness and mercy
finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and casts down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Proud and haughty—scorner is his name,
who deals in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all the day long,
but the righteous gives and does not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with a wicked intent!
28 A false witness will perish,
but a man who listens will speak forever.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
but as for the upright, he directs his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel
against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle,
but victory is of the Lord.
The Holy Bible, Modern English Version. Copyright © 2014 by Military Bible Association. Published and distributed by Charisma House.