21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in Jehovah’s hand.+
He directs it wherever He pleases.+
2 All of a man’s ways seem right to him,+
But Jehovah examines the hearts.+
3 To do what is right and just
Is more pleasing to Jehovah than a sacrifice.+
4 Haughty eyes and an arrogant heart
—The lamp that guides the wicked is sin.+
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to success,+
But all who are hasty surely head for poverty.+
6 Gaining treasures by a lying tongue
Is like a vanishing mist, a deadly snare.+
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,+
For they refuse to act with justice.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked,
But the activity of the pure man is upright.+
9 Better to dwell on a corner of the roof
Than in the same house with a quarrelsome wife.+
10 The wicked man craves what is bad;+
He shows no favor toward his neighbor.+
11 When a ridiculer is punished, the inexperienced become wiser,
And when a wise person receives insight, he gains knowledge.+
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked one;
He overthrows the wicked to their ruin.+
13 Whoever stops up his ear to the cry of the lowly one
Will himself call and not be answered.+
14 A secret gift subdues anger,+
And a hidden bribe, fierce rage.
15 It is a joy for the righteous one to act with justice,+
But it is something terrible to those who practice evil.
16 The man who strays from the way of insight
Will rest in the company of those powerless in death.+
17 The one who loves having a good time will come to poverty;+
The one who loves wine and oil will not grow rich.
18 The wicked one is a ransom for the righteous one,
And the treacherous one will be taken in place of the upright.+
19 Better to dwell in the wilderness
Than with a quarrelsome and irritable wife.+
20 Precious treasure and oil are found in the house of the wise,+
But the stupid man will squander what he has.+
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and loyal love
Will find life, righteousness, and glory.+
22 A wise man can scale the city of the mighty
And undermine the strength in which they trust.+
23 The one guarding his mouth and his tongue
Keeps himself out of trouble.+
24 A presumptuous, arrogant braggart is what you call
The man who acts with reckless presumptuousness.+
25 What the lazy man craves will put him to death,
For his hands refuse to work.+
26 All day long he greedily craves,
But the righteous one gives, holding nothing back.+
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable.+
How much more when he offers it with evil intent!
28 A lying witness will perish,+
But the man who listens will testify with success.
29 The wicked man puts on a bold face,+
But it is the upright one whose course is sure.+
30 There is no wisdom, nor discernment, nor counsel in opposition to Jehovah.+
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,+
But salvation belongs to Jehovah.+