VerseAI

NIV

Proverbs 21

  1. 1<pb/><t>In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water</t> <t>that he channels toward all who please him. <pb/></t>
  2. 2<t>A person may think their own ways are right,</t> <t>but the LORD weighs the heart. <pb/></t>
  3. 3<t>To do what is right and just</t> <t>is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. <pb/></t>
  4. 4<t>Haughty eyes and a proud heart—</t> <t>the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin. <pb/></t>
  5. 5<t>The plans of the diligent lead to profit</t> <t>as surely as haste leads to poverty. <pb/></t>
  6. 6<t>A fortune made by a lying tongue</t> <t>is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.<f>[37]</f> <pb/></t>
  7. 7<t>The violence of the wicked will drag them away,</t> <t>for they refuse to do what is right. <pb/></t>
  8. 8<t>The way of the guilty is devious,</t> <t>but the conduct of the innocent is upright. <pb/></t>
  9. 9<t>Better to live on a corner of the roof</t> <t>than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. <pb/></t>
  10. 10<t>The wicked crave evil;</t> <t>their neighbors get no mercy from them. <pb/></t>
  11. 11<t>When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;</t> <t>by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. <pb/></t>
  12. 12<t>The Righteous One<f>[38]</f> takes note of the house of the wicked</t> <t>and brings the wicked to ruin. <pb/></t>
  13. 13<t>Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor</t> <t>will also cry out and not be answered. <pb/></t>
  14. 14<t>A gift given in secret soothes anger,</t> <t>and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. <pb/></t>
  15. 15<t>When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous</t> <t>but terror to evildoers. <pb/></t>
  16. 16<t>Whoever strays from the path of prudence</t> <t>comes to rest in the company of the dead. <pb/></t>
  17. 17<t>Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;</t> <t>whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. <pb/></t>
  18. 18<t>The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,</t> <t>and the unfaithful for the upright. <pb/></t>
  19. 19<t>Better to live in a desert</t> <t>than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. <pb/></t>
  20. 20<t>The wise store up choice food and olive oil,</t> <t>but fools gulp theirs down. <pb/></t>
  21. 21<t>Whoever pursues righteousness and love</t> <t>finds life, prosperity<f>[39]</f> and honor. <pb/></t>
  22. 22<t>One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty</t> <t>and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. <pb/></t>
  23. 23<t>Those who guard their mouths and their tongues</t> <t>keep themselves from calamity. <pb/></t>
  24. 24<t>The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—</t> <t>behaves with insolent fury. <pb/></t>
  25. 25<t>The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,</t> <t>because his hands refuse to work.</t>
  26. 26<t>All day long he craves for more,</t> <t>but the righteous give without sparing. <pb/></t>
  27. 27<t>The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—</t> <t>how much more so when brought with evil intent! <pb/></t>
  28. 28<t>A false witness will perish,</t> <t>but a careful listener will testify successfully. <pb/></t>
  29. 29<t>The wicked put up a bold front,</t> <t>but the upright give thought to their ways. <pb/></t>
  30. 30<t>There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan</t> <t>that can succeed against the LORD. <pb/></t>
  31. 31<t>The horse is made ready for the day of battle,</t> <t>but victory rests with the LORD.</t>