Proverbs 21 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

A king’s heart is like channeled water in the LORD’s hand:

He directs it wherever he chooses.

All a person’s ways seem right to him,

but the LORD weighs hearts.

Doing what is righteous and just

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

The lamp that guides the wicked —

haughty eyes and an arrogant heart ​— ​is sin.

The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,

but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

Making a fortune through a lying tongue

is a vanishing mist,[fn] a pursuit of death.[fn][fn]

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away

because they refuse to act justly.

A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,

but the behavior of the innocent is upright.

Better to live on the corner of a roof

than to share a house with a nagging wife.

A wicked person desires evil;

he has no consideration[fn] for his neighbor.

When a mocker is punished,

the inexperienced become wiser;

when one teaches a wise man,

he acquires knowledge.

The Righteous One[fn] considers the house of the wicked;

he brings the wicked to ruin.

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor

will himself also call out and not be answered.

A secret gift soothes anger,

and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

Justice executed is a joy to the righteous

but a terror to evildoers.

The person who strays from the way of prudence

will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

The one who loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,

and the treacherous, for[fn] the upright.

Better to live in a wilderness

than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,

but a fool consumes them.[fn]

The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love

will find life, righteousness, and honor.

A wise person went up against a city of warriors

and brought down its secure fortress.

The one who guards his mouth and tongue

keeps himself out of trouble.

The arrogant and proud person, named “Mocker,”

acts with excessive arrogance.

A slacker’s craving will kill him

because his hands refuse to work.

He is filled with craving[fn] all day long,

but the righteous give and don’t hold back.

The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable ​—

how much more so

when he brings it with ulterior motives!

A lying witness will perish,

but the one who listens will speak successfully.

A wicked person puts on a bold face,

but the upright one considers his way.

No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel

will prevail against the LORD.

A horse is prepared for the day of battle,

but victory comes from the LORD.