DAY 21 - PROVERBS 21
The king's heart in YAHWEH’s hand is like streams of water—he directs it wherever he pleases.
All a person's ways are right in his own view, but YAHWEH weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more pleasing to YAHWEH than sacrifice.
Haughty looks, a proud heart—what the wicked plow is sin.
The plans of the diligent lead only to abundance; but all who rush in arrive only at want.
A fortune gained by a lying tongue is vapor dispersed [by] seekers of death. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to act justly. A criminal's conduct is crooked, but the work of the pure is right.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife.
The wicked is set on evil; he doesn't pity even his neighbor.
When a scorner is punished, the simple become wiser; and when the wise is instructed, he takes hold of knowledge. The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
Whoever stops up his ears at the cry of the poor will himself cry, but not be answered.
A secret gift allays anger, and a bribe under the cloak the strongest fury.
Acting justly is a joy for the righteous but it terrifies evildoers.
The person who strays from the way of common sense will come to rest in the company of the dead. Pleasure-lovers will suffer want; he who loves wine and oil won't get rich.
The wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous, and likewise the perfidious for the upright.
It is better to live in the desert than with a nagging, irritable wife. In the home of the wise are fine treasures and oil, but a fool quickly devours it.
He who pursues righteousness and kindness finds life, prosperity and honor. A wise man can go up into a city of warriors and undermine the strength in which it trusts.
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
"Scoffer" is what you call a proud, insolent person who acts with overweening conceit.
A lazy man's craving will kill him, because his hands refuse to work he covets greedily all day long; but a righteous person gives without holding back.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with vile motives. A lying witness is doomed, but one who heard [what was said] will testify successfully. A wicked man puts on a bold face, whereas the upright prepares his ways.
No wisdom, discernment or counsel succeeds against YAHWEH. A horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from YAHWEH.