Proverbs 21 (UDB)

1The motives of the king are directed like a stream of water by Yahweh; he diverts the king like he directs the flow of water, in any way he wants.The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

2When a person looks at his own life, everything he does may seem right to him, but what matters is what Yahweh thinks about what he does.All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

3Doing what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than offering sacrifices to him.To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4When you show people that you think you are better than they, and add to that the pride you have within you—this shines like a light and it tells others you are a wicked person— they are examples of sin.Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

5Those who work hard and who carry out their plans will be successful, but everyone who takes action too quickly and with little planning makes themselves poor.The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6When someone becomes rich because he tells lies, that wealth fades away like the mist; that wealth will kill him.Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

7When wicked people act with violence, they are destroyed by their own violence because they refuse to do what is right.The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.

8A guilty person follows a path covered with lies, but the innocent chooses to do what is right.The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9It is better to live alone in the corner of a housetop than inside a house with a wife who always wants to argue with you.Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The wicked man craves evil more than anything, and when he looks at his neighbor, the wicked man's eyes reveal that he is not going to be kind to his neighbor.The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When a person who acts like he is better than other people is punished, the simple—who do not know about right and wrong—are taught an important lesson, and if you teach one who is wise, they can learn even more.When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

12One who does what is right watches the house where evil people live, and he confronts their wickedness and brings them to justice.The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

13When the poor cried out for help, there was a person who refused to listen to their cries, but when he cried out, because he covered his ears to their cries, no one heard his cries.Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

14Give a gift to a person who is angry with you and it may turn away his anger; a secret gift may help a person who is angry at you to calm down.A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

15When there is justice, those who love what is right are happy, but when there is justice, it brings great fear to those who do what is evil.Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

16A person who does not understand right and wrong will get lost when he tries to make decisions; he will only rest when he is dead.The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17Love pleasure and it will make you poor; you cannot be rich and love to drink wine and eat expensive foods.He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

18A person who does right is honored much more than a wicked man, and a good man is worth far more than one who never keeps his promise.The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

19It is better to live alone in a desert than with a wife who is always stirring up conflicts and never stops complaining.Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

20Those who are wise have very precious treasures and they live very well, but foolish people waste all they have.Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

21A person who does right and is kind lives a good life, makes wise decisions, and receives honor from others.He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22When a wise leader goes up against a city of mighty warriors, he knows how to bring down the defenses of the city and he conquers it.A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

23Be careful; if you could put a guard to watch over the words that come out of your mouth and tongue, you would keep away from a lot of trouble.He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

24The mocker thinks he is better than other people, and his actions come from his pride and his arrogance.Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

25The things that the lazy person chooses to do will kill him; he refuses to work.The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he desires things—he could not desire for more things— but whoever does right gives gifts to others, and he never holds back anything that is good.All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

27When wicked people decide to give an offering to Yahweh, Yahweh hates it, and Yahweh hates it even more when the wicked man comes to worship Yahweh in order to get something for himself.The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

28Those who lie about other people will die, but the one who takes time to listen—when he says something, people will remember it.A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

29The wicked man acts as if he were strong, but an honest man has thought about what to do and is certain about it.A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

30Can there be any wisdom, any understanding, or any advice that is wiser than Yahweh?There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

31The soldier prepares his horse for the day of battle, but it is Yahweh who determines the winner of the battle.A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

Proverbs 21

The King’s Heart

You’ve read Proverbs 21

Go Deeper

Proverbs 21

The King’s Heart

You’ve read Proverbs 21

Go Deeper