Proverbs 21:1-13

New International Reader's Version

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is like a stream of water.
    The Lord directs it toward all those who please him.

² A person might think their own ways are right.
    But the Lord knows what they are thinking.

³ Do what is right and fair.
    The Lord accepts that more than sacrifices.

⁴ The proud eyes and hearts of sinful people are like a field not plowed.
    Those things produce nothing good.

⁵ The plans of people who work hard succeed.
    You can be just as sure that those in a hurry will become poor.

⁶ A fortune made by people who tell lies
    amounts to nothing and leads to death.

⁷ The harmful things that evil people do will drag them away.
    They refuse to do what is right.

⁸ The path of those who are guilty is crooked.
    But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest.

⁹ It is better to live on a corner of a roof
    than to share a house with a nagging wife.

¹⁰ Sinful people long to do evil.
    They don’t show their neighbors any mercy.

¹¹ When you punish someone who makes fun of others, childish people get wise.
    By paying attention to wise people, the childish get knowledge.

¹² The Blameless One knows where sinners live.
    And he destroys them.

¹³ Whoever refuses to listen to the cries of poor people
    will also cry out and not be answered.