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21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord like channels of water;
he turns it wherever he wants.
2 All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.
3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart –
the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth;
they seek death.
7 The violence done by the wicked will drag them away
because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty person is devious,
but as for the pure, his way is upright.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the housetop
than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The appetite of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.
11 When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise;
when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
he too will cry out and will not be answered.
14 A gift given in secret subdues anger,
and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.
15 Doing justice brings joy to the righteous
and terror to those who do evil.
16 The one who wanders from the way of wisdom
will end up in the company of the departed.
17 The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person;
whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,
and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.
20 There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish person devours all he has.
21 The one who pursues righteousness and love
finds life, bounty, and honor.
22 The wise person can scale the city of the mighty
and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 The one who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his life from troubles.
24 A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,”
acts with overbearing pride.
25 What the sluggard desires will kill him,
for his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves greedily,
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A lying witness will perish,
but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.
29 A wicked person shows boldness with his face,
but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.
30 There is no wisdom and there is no understanding,
and there is no counsel against the Lord.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory is from the Lord.

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