21:1
Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.
21:2
All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.
21:3
To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.
21:4
Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin.
21:5
The hardworking is thoughtful, and all is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want.
21:6
To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue: such is the idle fantasy of those who look for death.
21:7
The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right.
21:8
The way of the felon is devious, the conduct of the innocent straight.
21:9
Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
21:10
The soul of the wicked is intent on evil, to such a person no neighbour can ever do right.
21:11
When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledge by instruction.
21:12
The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction.
21:13
Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, will in turn plead and not be heard.
21:14
Anger is mollified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak.
21:15
Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror.
21:16
Whoever strays far from the way of prudence will rest in the assembly of shadows.
21:17
Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one will grow rich who loves wine and good living.
21:18
The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest.
21:19
Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman.
21:20
The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both.
21:21
Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour.
21:22
A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied.
21:23
Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster.
21:24
Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour.
21:25
The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands will do no work.
21:26
All day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing.
21:27
The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent, above all if it is offered for bad motives.
21:28
The false witness will perish, but no one who knows how to listen will ever be silenced.
21:29
The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm.
21:30
No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh.
21:31
Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's.
Previous
Next