Aa
1A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever he chooses.21:1 Ezr 6:22

2All a person’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs hearts.21:2 Pr 12:15; 16:2; 17:3; 24:12; Lk 16:15

3Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.21:3 1Sm 15:22; Pr 15:8; Hs 6:6; Mc 6:7–8; Mt 9:13

4The lamp that guides the wicked —
haughty eyes and an arrogant heart21:4 Ps 101:5; Pr 6:16–17; 30:13 — is sin.

5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.21:5 Pr 10:4; 14:23; 21:20; 28:22

6Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist,21:6 Or a breath blown away a pursuit of death.21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death21:6 Pr 8:36; 13:11; 20:21

7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

8A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,21:8 Pr 2:15
but the behavior of the innocent is upright.21:8 Pr 20:11

9Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.21:9 Pr 15:16–17; 17:1; 21:19; 25:24

10A wicked person desires evil;
he has no consideration21:10 Or favor for his neighbor.21:10 Pr 14:21

11When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge.21:11 Pr 19:25

12The Righteous One21:12 Or righteous one considers the house of the wicked;
he brings the wicked to ruin.

13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered.21:13 Pr 14:31; 17:5; Mt 18:30–34; Jms 2:13; 1Jn 3:17

14A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe, fierce rage.21:14 Pr 17:8; 18:16; 19:6

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to evildoers.21:15 Pr 10:29; Rm 13:3

16The person who strays from the way of prudence
will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.21:16 Ps 49:14; Pr 2:18; 9:18

17The one who loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.21:17 Ec 2:1–3,10–11

18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,
and the treacherous, for21:18 Or in place of the upright.21:18 Pr 11:8; Is 43:3

19Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.21:19 Pr 21:9

20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
but a fool consumes them.21:20 Lit it21:20 Jb 20:15,18; Ps 112:3; Pr 10:4; 28:20; Mt 25:1–13

21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.21:21 Pr 3:16; 8:18; 15:9; Mt 5:6; 6:33

22A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress.21:22 2Sm 5:6–9; Pr 14:26; 24:5; Ec 7:19; 9:14–18

23The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.21:23 Pr 12:13; 13:3; Jms 3:2

24The arrogant and proud person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive arrogance.21:24 Ps 1:1; Pr 1:22; 21:11

25A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work.21:25 Pr 10:4; 12:24; 13:4; 19:15,24
26He is filled with craving21:26 Lit He craves a craving all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back.21:26 Ps 37:26; Pr 11:24–25

27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable —
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives!21:27 Pr 15:8; 28:9; Is 66:3

28A lying witness will perish,21:28 Pr 19:5,9
but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29A wicked person puts on a bold face,21:29 Pr 7:13
but the upright one considers his way.

30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the Lord.21:30 Is 8:9–10; 1Co 3:19–20

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle,21:31 Ps 20:7; 33:17; 108:10–13; Is 31:1
but victory comes from the Lord.21:31 Jr 3:23; 1Co 15:57