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 vapor and a deadly snare.

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 neighbor 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 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 ill-tempered 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 and honor.

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 forever.

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.