21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.
21:2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.
21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.
21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a snare of death.
21:7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
21:8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.
21:9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious wife.
21:10 The souls of the wicked desire evil; their neighbours find no mercy in their eyes.
21:11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser; when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.
21:12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he casts the wicked down to ruin.
21:13 If you close your ear to the cry of the poor, you will cry out and not be heard.
21:14 A gift in secret averts anger; and a concealed bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
21:15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.
21:16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
21:17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want; whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
21:19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful wife.
21:20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool devours it.
21:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honour.
21:22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.
21:23 To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble.
21:24 The proud, haughty person, named ‘Scoffer’, acts with arrogant pride.
21:25 The craving of the lazy person is fatal, for lazy hands refuse to labour.
21:26 All day long the wicked covet, but the righteous give and do not hold back.
21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when brought with evil intent.
21:28 A false witness will perish, but a good listener will testify successfully.
21:29 The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways.
21:30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the Lord.
21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.
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