Proverbs 21

New King James Version

^2 (A)Every way of a manisright in his own eyes,
^(B)But theLordweighs the hearts.

^3 (C)To do righteousness and justice
Ismore acceptable to theLordthan sacrifice.

^4 (D)A haughty look, a proud heart,
Andthe^[b]plowing of the wickedaresin.

^5 (E)The plans of the diligentleadsurely to plenty,
Butthose ofeveryonewho ishasty, surely to poverty.

^6 (F)Getting treasures by a lying tongue
^[c]Isthe fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

⁷ The violence of the wicked will^[d]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.

⁸ The way of^[e]a guilty manisperverse;
Butas forthe pure, his workisright.

⁹ Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with^(G)a contentious woman.

^10 (H)The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

¹¹ When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the^(I)wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

¹² The righteousGodwisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked fortheirwickedness.

^13 (J)Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

¹⁴ A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe^[f]behind the back, strong wrath.

¹⁵ It isa joy for the just to do justice,
But destructionwill cometo the workers of iniquity.

¹⁶ A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the^(K)dead.

¹⁷ He who loves pleasurewill bea poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

¹⁸ The wickedshall bea ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

¹⁹ Better to dwell^[g]in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

^20 (L)There isdesirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

^21 (M)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

²² A^(N)wiseman^[h]scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.

^23 (O)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

²⁴ A proudandhaughtyman—“Scoffer”ishis name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

²⁵ The^(P)desire of the lazymankills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
²⁶ He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous^(Q)gives and does not spare.

^27 (R)The sacrifice of the wickedisan abomination;
How much morewhenhe brings it with wicked intent!

²⁸ A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hearshimwill speak endlessly.

²⁹ A wicked man hardens his face,
Butas forthe upright, he^[i]establishes his way.

^30 (S)There isno wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against theLord.

³¹ The horseisprepared for the day of battle,
But^(T)deliveranceisof theLord.