The FarAboveAll translation of the Old Testament from the Masoretic Hebrew and Aramaic (WLC). See details on www.FarAboveAll.com.

Version 0.33.105, 15 February 2024

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Proverbs Chapter 21

1A king's heart is like sources of water in the Lord's hand;

He inclines it to whatever he wishes.

2Every way of man is right in his own eyes,

But it is the Lord who tests hearts.

3To do righteousness and justice

Is preferable with the Lord to sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and arrogance

– The field of work of the wicked –

Are preferable to them than a sin-offering.

5The thoughts of a diligent man assuredly lead to plentifulness,

But as for everyone who is hasty,

His actions assuredly lead to lack.

6Acquiring treasure by a lying tongue

Is mist blown around

By those who seek death.

7The rapacity of the wicked drags them away,

For they refuse to act justly.

8The way of man is crooked and outlandish,

But as for the pure man,

His work is upright.

9It is better to live in a corner of a roof

Than in a mansion,

But with a contentious wife.

10A wicked person craves wrongdoing;

His neighbour does not find favour in his eyes.

11By the punishment of the mocker,

The naive man becomes wise,

And by the instruction to the wise man,

He obtains knowledge.

12The righteous one is prudent with the house of the wicked;

He overthrows the wicked to their detriment.

13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor

Will in turn call out,

But he will not be answered.

14A gift given in private appeases anger,

And a present put into the lap assuages strong fury.

15It is joy to the righteous to act justly,

But a dreadful thing to those who commit iniquity.

16A man who strays from a prudent way

Comes to rest in the company of the Rephaim.

17He who loves merrymaking

Will be a man in penury;

He who loves wine and fine food

Will not become rich.

18The wicked will be a ransom for the righteous,

And the traitor in the place of the upright.

19It is better to live in a desert land

Than with a contentious and bad-tempered wife.

20There is delightful treasure and oil

In the abode of the wise,

But a foolish man dissipates it.

21He who pursues righteousness and kindness

Will find life, righteousness and honour.

22The wise man can ascend into a city of warriors,

And shatter its great confidence.

23He who guards his mouth and his tongue

Guards himself from adversities.

24As for the arrogant and haughty man,

His name is Mocker;

He deals in insolent presumption.

25The inclination of the lazy man will kill him,

For his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves what his heart desires,

But a just man gives and does not spare.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination

– All the more so

When he brings it in deceit.

28A false witness will perish,

But a man who listens

Will speak steadfast words.

29The wicked man puts on a bold front,

But the upright man prepares his ways.

30There is no wisdom and there is no expertise,

And there is no counsel

Which can prevail against the Lord.

31The horse may be prepared for the day of war,

But salvation belongs to the Lord.

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