21:1 THE KING'S heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills. |
21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs {and} tries the hearts. |
21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. |
21:4 Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked {or} the lamp [of joy] to them [whatever it may be], are sin [in the eyes of God]. |
21:5 The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient {and} hasty hastens only to want. |
21:6 Securing treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death. |
21:7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice. |
21:8 The way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right {and} his conduct is straight. |
21:9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, {and} faultfinding woman. |
21:10 The soul {or} life of the wicked craves {and} seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. |
21:11 When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of [godly] Wisdom {and} good sense learn by being instructed. |
21:12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous man considers well the house of the wicked--how the wicked are cast down to ruin. |
21:13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard. |
21:14 A gift in secret pacifies {and} turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath. |
21:15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, {and} ruin. |
21:16 A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead). |
21:17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. |
21:18 The wicked become a ransom for the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and the treacherous for the upright [because the wicked themselves fall into the traps and pits they have dug for the good]. |
21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation. |
21:20 There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident {and} foolish man swallows it up {and} wastes it. |
21:21 He who earnestly seeks after {and} craves righteousness, mercy, {and} loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. |
21:22 A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. |
21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. |
21:24 The proud {and} haughty man--Scoffer is his name--deals {and} acts with overbearing pride. |
21:25 The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. |
21:26 He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold. |
21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting {and} abhorrent [to the Lord]--how much more when he brings it with evil intention? |
21:28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure {and} go unchallenged. |
21:29 A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt], but as for the upright, he considers, directs, {and} establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity]. |
21:30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord. |
21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance {and} victory are of the Lord. |