Chapter 21

  The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.  

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  Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts.  

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  To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.  

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  A high look, and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.  

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  The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; And everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.  

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  Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.  

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  The violence of the wicked will drive them away, Because they refuse to do what is right.  

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  The way of the guilty is devious, But the conduct of the innocent is upright.  

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  It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than to share a house with a contentious woman.  

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  The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.  

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  When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom; When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.  

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  The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, And brings the wicked to ruin.  

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  Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, He will also cry out, but shall not be heard.  

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  A gift in secret pacifies anger; And a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.  

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  It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.  

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  The man who wanders out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.  

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  He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man: He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.  

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  The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; The treacherous for the upright.  

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  It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.  

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  There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swallows it up.  

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  He who follows after righteousness and kindness Finds life, righteousness, and honor.  

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  A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.  

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  Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.  

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  The proud and haughty man, 'scoffer' is his name; He works in the arrogance of pride.  

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  The desire of the sluggard kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.  

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  There are those who covet greedily all the day long; But the righteous gives and doesn't withhold.  

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  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!  

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  A false witness will perish, And a man who listens speaks to eternity.  

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  A wicked man hardens his face; But as for the upright, he establishes his ways.  

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  There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Yahweh.  

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  The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is with Yahweh.  

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