Proverbs 21 (New American Standard)

On Life and Conduct

1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD ; He ¹turns it wherever He wishes. 2 ²Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD ³weighs the hearts. 3 To do ⁴righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The ⁵lamp of the wicked, is sin. 5 The plans of the ⁶diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone ⁷who is hasty comes surely to poverty. 6 The ⁸acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the ^apursuit of ⁹death. 7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they ¹⁰refuse to act with justice. 8 The way of a guilty man is ¹¹crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. 9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than ^bin a house shared with a contentious woman. 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil ; His ¹²neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11 When the ¹³scoffer is punished, the ^cnaive becomes wise ; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the ¹⁴wicked to ruin. 13 He who ¹⁵shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be ¹⁶answered. 14 A ¹⁷gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. 15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is ¹⁸terror to the workers of iniquity. 16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will ¹⁹rest in the assembly of the ^ddead. 17 He who ²⁰loves pleasure will become a poor man ; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich. 18 The wicked is a ²¹ransom for the righteous, And the ²²treacherous is in the place of the upright. 19 ²³It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman. 20 There is precious ²⁴treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man ²⁵swallows it up. 21 He who ²⁶pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor. 22 A ²⁷wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the ^estronghold in which they trust. 23 He who ²⁸guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. 24 "Proud," "Haughty," "²⁹Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with ³⁰insolent pride. 25 The ³¹desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work ; 26 All day long he ^fis craving, While the righteous ³²gives and does not hold back. 27 The ³³sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent ! 28 A ³⁴false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever. 29 A wicked man ^g35displays a bold face, But as for the ³⁶upright, he makes his way sure. 30 There is ³⁷no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD. 31 The ³⁸horse is prepared for the day of battle, But ³⁹victory belongs to the LORD.