Proverbs 21 :: New International Version (NIV)

1 In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

that he channels toward all who please him.

2 A person may think their own ways are right,

but the LORD weighs the heart.

3 To do what is right and just

is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6 A fortune made by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[fn]

7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

for they refuse to do what is right.

8 The way of the guilty is devious,

but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9 Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10 The wicked crave evil;

their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;

by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

12 The Righteous One[fn] takes note of the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin.

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor

will also cry out and not be answered.

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,

and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.

16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence

comes to rest in the company of the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to live in a desert

than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,

but fools gulp theirs down.

21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love

finds life, prosperity[fn] and honor.

22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty

and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues

keep themselves from calamity.

24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—

behaves with insolent fury.

25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,

because his hands refuse to work.

26 All day long he craves for more,

but the righteous give without sparing.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—

how much more so when brought with evil intent!

28 A false witness will perish,

but a careful listener will testify successfully.

29 The wicked put up a bold front,

but the upright give thought to their ways.

30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the LORD.

31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but victory rests with the LORD.