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Proverbs 21 (TNIV)

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¹ In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. ² People may think all their ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. ³ To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ⁴ ⁵ The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. ⁶ A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. ⁷ The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. ⁸ The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. ⁹ Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. ¹⁰ The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. ¹¹ When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. ¹² The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. ¹³ Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. ¹⁴ A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. ¹⁵ When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. ¹⁶ Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. ¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. ¹⁸ The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. ¹⁹ Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. ²⁰ The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. ²¹ Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. ²² One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. ²³ Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. ²⁴ ²⁵ The craving of sluggards will be the death of them, because their hands refuse to work. ²⁶ All day long they crave for more, but the righteous give without sparing. ²⁷ ²⁸ Those who give false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. ²⁹ The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. ³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. ³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.