21:1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.
21:2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
21:3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
21:4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!
21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
21:6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a deadly snare. [Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate most Hebrew manuscripts vapour for those who seek death]
21:7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
21:8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
21:9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
21:10 The wicked man craves evil his neighbour gets no mercy from him.
21:11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.
21:12 The Righteous One [Or The righteous man] takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
21:13 If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.
21:14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
21:15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
21:16 A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.
21:17 He who loves pleasure will become poor whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.
21:18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
21:19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and illtempered wife.
21:20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.
21:21 He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity [Or righteousness] and honour.
21:22 A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
21:23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
21:24 The proud and arrogant Man mocker is his name he behaves with overweening pride.
21:25 The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
21:26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable how much more so when brought with evil intent!
21:28 A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed for ever. [Or but the words of an obedient man will live on]
21:29 A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.
21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
21:31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.