Proverbs 21

21 ¹ The king's heart is a stream of water in our Father's hand; he turns it wherever he pleases. ² Every way of a person seems right in their own eyes, but our Father weighs the heart. ³ To do what is right and just is more pleasing to our Father than sacrifice. ⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart — the lamp of the wicked — are sin. ⁵ The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but all who are hasty end up in poverty. ⁶ Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, a deadly trap. ⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to do what is just. ⁸ The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. ⁹ Better to live in a corner of the roof than in a shared house with a quarrelsome wife. ¹⁰ The soul of the wicked craves evil; their neighbor finds no mercy in their eyes. ¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the simple grow wise; when the wise are instructed, they gain knowledge. ¹² Our Father, the Righteous One, observes the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. ¹³ Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. ¹⁴ A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe slipped into the cloak calms strong wrath. ¹⁵ When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to those who do evil. ¹⁶ A person who strays from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. ¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never grow rich. ¹⁸ The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous for the upright. ¹⁹ Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and complaining wife. ²⁰ Precious treasure and oil are in the home of the wise, but a fool devours all he has. ²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. ²² A wise person scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold they trust in. ²³ Whoever guards their mouth and tongue keeps themselves out of trouble. ²⁴ "Mocker" is the name of the proud and arrogant who acts with outrageous insolence. ²⁵ The craving of a lazy person kills him, for his hands refuse to work. ²⁶ All day long the craving grows, but the righteous give and do not hold back. ²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable — how much more when brought with evil intent. ²⁸ A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify with lasting effect. ²⁹ The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways. ³⁰ There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can stand against our Father. ³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory belongs to our Father.