Proverbs 21:1-31 VOICE

[1] The king's heart is like a channel of water directed by the Eternal: He chooses which way He bends it. [2] Everyone may think his own way of living is right, but the Eternal examines our hearts. [3] To do what is right and to seek justice- these please Him more than sacrifice. [4] The lamp of the wicked lights his way; a proud look, an arrogant heart-all sin. [5] A well-thought-out plan will work to your advantage, but hasty actions will cost you dearly. [6] The fortune made by a swindler is a fast-burning fog and a recipe for death. [7] Wicked people will be swept up in their own violence because they refuse to seek justice. [8] Dishonest people walk along the crooked path they have made, but the innocent travel the straight course they have laid. [9] It is better to dwell outside on the corner of your roof than to live inside your house with a badgering wife. [10] Wicked people delight in doing bad things; their neighbors never see even a hint of compassion. [11] A naive person wises up when he sees a mocker punished. A wise person becomes even wiser just by being instructed. [12] The right-living understands how evildoers operate; he subverts them and ruins their plans. [13] If you ignore the groans of the poor, one day your own cries for help will go unanswered. [14] A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a present offered privately calms fierce rage. [15] When justice is done, those who are in the right celebrate, but those who make trouble are terrified. [16] People who wander from the way of wise living will lie down in the company of corpses. [17] Those who live to party, who pursue pleasure, will end up penniless; those who enjoy lots of wine and rich food will never have money. [18] The wicked become a ransom for those who live right, and the faithless pay the penalty for their treachery against the upright. [19] You would be better off living in the middle of the desert than with an angry and argumentative wife. [20] The wise have a generous supply of fine food and oil in their homes, but fools are wasteful, consuming every last drop. [21] Whoever pursues justice and treats others with kindness discovers true life marked by integrity and respect. [22] One wise person can rise against a city of mighty men and cause the citadel they trust to collapse. [23] Guard your words, mind what you say, and you will keep yourself out of trouble. [24] The name "mocker" applies to one who is proud and pompous because he is defiantly arrogant. [25] What slackers crave will surely kill them because they refuse to work. [26] All day, every day the greedy want more, while those who live right give generously. [27] The offerings of wrongdoers are despicable to God; it's even worse when they bring them with evil motives. [28] The testimony of a false witness is eventually impeached, but the person who truly listens will have the last word. [29] The wicked wears a defiant face, but the right-living plans his path. [30] No one is wise enough or smart enough, and no plan is good enough to stand up to the Eternal. [31] No matter how well you arm for battle, victory is determined by Him.