Doing What Is Right

Proverbs 21:1-21

¹ The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; he directs it wherever he wants. ² Everyone’s path is straight in their own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. ³ Acting with righteousness and justice is more valued by the LORD than sacrifice. ⁴ Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and the lamp of the wicked are all sinful. ⁵ The plans of the diligent end up in profit, but those who hurry end up with loss. ⁶ Those who gain treasure with lies are like a drifting fog, leading to death. ⁷ The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, for they refuse to act with justice. ⁸ The ways of some people are twisted and strange, but the behavior of those who do right is pure. ⁹ Better to live on the edge of a roof than with a contentious woman in a large house. ¹⁰ Wicked people desire evil; their neighbors receive no mercy from them. ¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom; when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases. ¹² The righteous one observes the house of the wicked, turning the wicked toward trouble. ¹³ Those who close their ears to the cries of the poor will themselves call out but receive no answer. ¹⁴ A secret gift calms anger, and a hidden bribe removes furious wrath. ¹⁵ Acting justly is a joy to the righteous, but dreaded by those who do evil. ¹⁶ People who wander from the path of insight will rest in the company of the dead. ¹⁷ Those who love pleasure end up poor; lovers of wine and oil won’t get rich. ¹⁸ The wicked are a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous will be punished in the place of the virtuous. ¹⁹ Better to live in a wilderness than in a house with a contentious and angry woman. ²⁰ Precious treasure and oil stay in the home of the wise, but fools swallow them up. ²¹ Those who pursue righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.