Proverbs 21

₁The LORD controls rulers,

just as he determines

the course of rivers.

₂We may think we are doing

the right thing,

but the LORD always knows

what is in our hearts.

₃Doing what is right and fair

pleases the LORD

more than an offering.

₄Evil people are proud

and arrogant,

but sin is the only crop

they produce.

₅If you plan and work hard,

you will have plenty;

if you get in a hurry,

you will end up poor.

₆Cheating to get rich

is a foolish dream

and no less than suicide.

₇You destroy yourself

by being cruel and violent

and refusing to live right.

₈All crooks are liars,

but anyone who is innocent

will do right.

₉It's better to stay outside

on the roof of your house

than to live inside

with a nagging wife.

₁₀Evil people want to do wrong,

even to their friends.

₁₁An ignorant fool learns

by seeing others punished;

a sensible person learns

by being instructed.

₁₂God is always fair!

He knows what the wicked do

and will punish them.

₁₃If you won't help the poor,

don't expect to be heard

when you cry out for help.

₁₄A secret bribe will save you

from someone's fierce anger.

₁₅When justice is done,

good citizens are glad

and crooks are terrified.

₁₆If you stop using good sense,

you will find yourself

in the grave.

₁₇Heavy drinkers and others

who live only for pleasure

will lose all they have.

₁₈God's people will escape,

but all who are wicked

will pay the price.

₁₉It's better out in the desert

than at home with a nagging,

complaining wife.

₂₀Be sensible and store up

precious treasures—

don't waste them

like a fool.

₂₁If you try to be kind and good,

you will be blessed with life

and goodness and honour.

₂₂One wise person can defeat

a city full of soldiers

and capture their fortress.

₂₃Watching what you say

can save you

a lot of trouble.

₂₄If you are proud and conceited,

everyone will say,

“You're a snob!”

₂₅If you want too much

and are too lazy to work,

it could be fatal.

₂₆But people who obey God

are always generous.

₂₇The Lord despises the offerings

of wicked people

with evil motives.

₂₈If you tell lies in court,

you are done for;

only a reliable witness

can do the job.

₂₉Wicked people bluff their way,

but God's people think

before they take a step.

₃₀No matter how much you know

or what plans you make,

you can't defeat the LORD.

₃₁Even if your army has horses

ready for battle,

the LORD will always win.