Proverbs 21:1-14

Common English Bible

21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he directs it wherever he wants.
² Everyone’s path is straight in their own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.
³ Acting with righteousness and justice
    is more valued by the Lord than sacrifice.
⁴ Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and
    the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
⁵ The plans of the diligent end up in profit,
    but those who hurry end up with loss.
⁶ Those who gain treasure with lies
    are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    for they refuse to act with justice.
⁸ The ways of some people are twisted and strange,
    but the behavior of those who do right is pure.
⁹ Better to live on the edge of a roof
    than with a contentious woman in a large house.
¹⁰ Wicked people desire evil;
    their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom;
    when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.
¹² The righteous one observes the house of the wicked,
    turning the wicked toward trouble.
¹³ Those who close their ears to the cries of the poor
    will themselves call out but receive no answer.
¹⁴ A secret gift calms anger,
    and a hidden bribe removes^[a] furious wrath.