Proverbs 21:1-31 TLB

[1] Just as water is turned into irrigation ditches, so the Lord directs the king's thoughts. He turns them wherever he wants to. [2] We can justify our every deed, but God looks at our motives. [3] God is more pleased when we are just and fair than when we give him gifts. [4] Pride, lust, and evil actions are all sin. [5] Steady plodding brings prosperity; hasty speculation brings poverty. [6] Dishonest gain will never last, so why take the risk? [7] Because the wicked are unfair, their violence boomerangs and destroys them. [8] A man is known by his actions. An evil man lives an evil life; a good man lives a godly life. [9] It is better to live in the corner of an attic than with a crabby woman in a lovely home. [10] An evil man loves to harm others; being a good neighbor is out of his line. [11] The wise man learns by listening; the simpleton can learn only by seeing scorners punished. [12] God, the Righteous One, knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked and will bring the wicked to judgment. [13] He who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in his own time of need. [14] An angry man is silenced by giving him a gift! [15] A good man loves justice, but it is a calamity to evildoers. [16] The man who strays away from common sense will end up dead! [17] A man who loves pleasure becomes poor; wine and luxury are not the way to riches! [18] The wicked will finally lose; the righteous will finally win. [19] Better to live in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining woman. [20] The wise man saves for the future, but the foolish man spends whatever he gets. [21] The man who tries to be good, loving, and kind finds life, righteousness, and honor. [22] The wise man conquers the strong man and levels his defenses. [23] Keep your mouth closed and you'll stay out of trouble. [24] Mockers are proud, haughty, and arrogant. [25] The lazy man longs for many things, but his hands refuse to work. He is greedy to get, while the godly love to give! [27] God loathes the gifts of evil men, especially if they are trying to bribe him! [28] No one believes a liar, but everyone respects the words of an honest man. [29] An evil man is stubborn, but a godly man will reconsider. [30] No one, regardless of how shrewd or well-advised he is, can stand against the Lord. [31] Go ahead and prepare for the conflict, but victory comes from God.