Proverbs 21

¹The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will. ²Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts. ³To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ⁴An high look, and a proud heart, eventhe lamp of the wicked, is sin. ⁵The thoughts of the diligent tendonly to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty hastethonly to want. ⁶The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek themseek death. ⁷The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment. ⁸The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right. ⁹It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house. ¹⁰The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. ¹¹When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. ¹²The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; howthe wicked are overthrown to theirruin. ¹³Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard. ¹⁴A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath. ¹⁵It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. ¹⁶The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead. ¹⁷He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. ¹⁸The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous comethin the stead of the upright. ¹⁹It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman. ²⁰There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up. ²¹He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. ²²A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof. ²³Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. ²⁴The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride. ²⁵The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. ²⁶There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. ²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind! ²⁸A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged. ²⁹A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways. ³⁰There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. ³¹The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,