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.