Proverbs 21 — ULB

21Verse 1The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh;
he turns it wherever he pleases.
^{Verse 2}Every person's way is right in his own eyes,
but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
^{Verse 3}To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
^{Verse 4}Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
^{Verse 5}The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity,
but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
^{Verse 6}Acquiring riches by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
^{Verse 7}The violence of the wicked will drag them away,
for they refuse to do what is just.
^{Verse 8}The way of a guilty person is crooked,
but the one who is pure does what is right.
^{Verse 9}It is better to live on a corner of the roof
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
^{Verse 10}The appetite of the wicked craves evil;
his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
^{Verse 11}When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise,
and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.
^{Verse 12}The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person;
he brings wicked people to disaster.
^{Verse 13}The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
^{Verse 14}A gift in secret appeases anger
and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
^{Verse 15}When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person,
but it brings terror to evildoers.
^{Verse 16}The one who wanders from the way of understanding,
he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
^{Verse 17}Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
^{Verse 18}A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person,
and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
^{Verse 19}It is better to live in the desert
than with a quarreling and angry wife.
^{Verse 20}Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish person swallows it all up.
^{Verse 21}The one who does right and is kind—
this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
^{Verse 22}A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones,
and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
^{Verse 23}Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
^{Verse 24}The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name—
acts with arrogant pride.
^{Verse 25}The desire of the lazy kills him,
for his hands refuse to work.
^{Verse 26}All day long he craves and craves more,
but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
^{Verse 27}The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable;
it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
^{Verse 28}A false witness will perish,
but the one who listens will speak for all time.
^{Verse 29}A wicked man makes his face hard,
but an upright person is certain about his ways.^{+
Verse 30}There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice
that can stand against Yahweh.
^{Verse 31}The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to Yahweh.