Shared Word Translation
Proverbs 21
The LORD Weighs the Heart
A king’s heart
is like channels of water
in the hand of the LORD;
the LORD turns it wherever desired.
Every way of a person
is right in their own eyes,
but the LORD
weighs hearts.
To practice righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the LORD
than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes
and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked—
are sin.
The plans of the diligent
surely lead to abundance,
but everyone who hurries
comes only to poverty.
Gaining treasure
with a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor,
a snare of death.
The violence of the wicked
will sweep them away,
because they refuse
to practice justice.
The way of the guilty
is crooked,
but the work of the pure
is upright.
Better to live
on a corner of a roof
than share a house
with a quarrelsome spouse.
The appetite of the wicked
desires evil;
their neighbor receives
no mercy from them.
Justice and Understanding
When a scoffer is punished,
the simple become wise;
when the wise are instructed,
they gain knowledge.
The Righteous One observes
the house of the wicked
and overturns the wicked
into ruin.
Whoever closes their ear
to the cry of the poor
will also cry out
and not be answered.
A gift given secretly
calms anger,
and a concealed present
strong wrath.
The practice of justice
is joy to the righteous
but terror
to those who do evil.
A person who wanders
from the way of understanding
will rest
in the assembly of the dead.
Whoever loves pleasure
will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil
will not become rich.
The wicked become
a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous
in place of the upright.
Better to live
in a wilderness
than with a quarrelsome
and angry spouse.
Precious treasure and oil
are in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish person
swallows them up.
Pursue Righteousness
Whoever pursues righteousness
and steadfast love
finds life,
righteousness, and honor.
A wise person can scale
a city of warriors
and bring down
the stronghold they trusted.
Whoever guards mouth and tongue
guards their life
from troubles.
“Scoffer” is the name
of the proud and arrogant person
who acts
with excessive pride.
The desire of the lazy
kills them,
because their hands
refuse to work.
All day long
they crave more and more,
but the righteous give
and do not hold back.
The sacrifice of the wicked
is an abomination—
how much more
when brought with evil intent!
A false witness will perish,
but one who listens carefully
will speak enduringly.
A wicked person
hardens their face,
but the upright
consider their way.
There is no wisdom,
no understanding,
and no counsel
that can stand against the LORD.
The horse is prepared
for the day of battle,
but victory
belongs to the LORD.