1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. 2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. 3 To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin. 5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. 7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. 8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. 9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. 10 The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. 12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. 14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. 15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. 16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. 17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. 18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. 19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. 20 Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. 21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. 24 Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride. 25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. 26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent! 28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. 29 A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. 30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. 31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
Proverbs 21:1–31
Semantically similar passages
Proverbs 13:5–7
5 The righteous hate falsehood, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. 6 Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. 7 One pretends to be rich, but has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.
Proverbs 11:22–24
22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who lacks discretion. 23 The desire of the righteous leads only to good, but the hope of the wicked brings wrath. 24 One gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor.
Proverbs 10:23–25
23 The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom. 24 What the wicked man dreads will overtake him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted. 25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked are no more, but the righteous are secure forever.
Sirach 32:16–18
16 Those who fear the Lord will find true judgment, and will kindle righteous acts like a light. (WEB) 17 A sinful man shuns reproof, and will find a judgment according to his will. (WEB) 18 A sensible person won’t neglect a thought. An insolent and proud man won’t crouch in fear,… (WEB)
Proverbs 13:20–22
20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. 21 Disaster pursues sinners, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. 22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to…
Proverbs 13:24–25
24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him diligently. 25 A righteous man eats to his heart’s content, but the stomach of the wicked is empty.
Proverbs 17:19–21
19 He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. 20 The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble. 21 A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.
Proverbs 19:27–29
27 If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. 29 Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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