Jul 19 - Proverbs 21-22
Proverbs
1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases.2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin!5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.10The wicked man craves evil; his neighbor gets no mercy from him.11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when a wise man is instructed, he gets knowledge.12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.13If a man shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and not be answered.14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.16A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead.17He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never be rich.18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife.20In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has.21He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.23He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.24The proud and arrogant man-"Mocker" is his name; he behaves with overweening pride.25The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable- how much more so when brought with evil intent!28A false witness will perish, and whoever listens to him will be destroyed forever.29A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways.30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
1A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.2Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.3A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.4Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.5In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares, but he who guards his soul stays far from them.6Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.7The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.9A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.10Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.11He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the king for his friend.12The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.13The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.16He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich-both come to poverty.17Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,18for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.19So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.20Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,21teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?22Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,23for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who plunder them.24Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered,25or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.26Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts;27if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.28Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your forefathers.29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.