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21:1  The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it whichever way He wishes.
21:2  Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives].
21:3  To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed].
21:4  Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].
21:5  The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.
21:6  Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death.
21:7  The violence of the wicked will [return to them and] drag them away [like fish caught in a net], Because they refuse to act with justice.
21:8  The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
21:9  It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman.
21:10  The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance]; His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes.
21:11  When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise; But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge.
21:12  The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked— How the wicked are cast down to ruin.
21:13  Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor Will cry out himself and not be answered.
21:14  A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath.
21:15  When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God), But to the evildoers it is disaster.
21:16  A man who wanders from the way of understanding (godly wisdom) Will remain in the assembly of the dead.
21:17  He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves and is devoted to wine and [olive] oil will not become rich.
21:18  The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps].
21:19  It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and troublesome woman.
21:20  There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
21:21  He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
21:22  A wise man scales the city [walls] of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
21:23  He who guards his mouth and his tongue Guards himself from troubles.
21:24  “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names Who acts with overbearing and insolent pride.
21:25  The desire of the lazy kills him, For his hands refuse to labor;
21:26  He craves all the day long [and does no work], But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has].
21:27  The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable and offensive [to the Lord]. How much more [unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention?
21:28  A false witness will perish, But a man who listens to the truth will speak forever and go unchallenged.
21:29  A wicked man puts on a bold face, But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].
21:30  There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
21:31  The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance and victory belong to the Lord.