Pro 21 | HCSB | STEP | A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord ’s hand : He directs it wherever He chooses .

Proverbs 21

1 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever He chooses. ^a

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives. ^{▼▼Lit Lord weighs the hearts
,} ^c

3 Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. ^d

4 The lamp ^{▼▼Some Hb mss, ancient versions read tillage} that guides the wicked –
haughty eyes and an arrogant heart ^f – is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. ^g

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist, ^{▼▼Or a breath blown away} a pursuit of death. ^{▼▼Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
,} ^{▼▼Lit is vanity, ones seeking death
,} ^k

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

8 A ^{▼▼guilt/guilty: The liability to be punished for a fault, a sin, an act, or an omission unless there is forgiveness or atonement; the term normally concerns an objective fact, not a subjective feeling.}guilty man’s conduct is crooked, ^m
but the behavior of the innocent is upright. ⁿ

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife. ^o

10 A wicked person desires evil;
he has no consideration ^{▼▼Or favor} for his neighbor. ^q

11 When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge. ^r

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
He brings the wicked to ruin.

13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered. ^s

14 A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe, ^{▼▼Lit a bribe in the bosom} fierce rage. ^u

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to those who practice iniquity. ^v

16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom
will come to rest
in the assembly of the departed spirits. ^w

17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. ^x

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous, for ^{▼▼Or in place of} the upright. ^z

19 Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. ^aa

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
but a foolish man consumes them. ^{▼▼Lit it
,} ^ac

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor. ^ad

22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress. ^ae

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble. ^af

24 The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive pride. ^ag

25 A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work. ^ah
26 He is filled with craving ^{▼▼Lit He craves a craving} all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back. ^aj

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable –
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives! ^ak

28 A lying witness will perish, ^al
but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, ^am
but the upright man considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the Lord. ^an

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, ^ao
but victory comes from the Lord. ^ap