Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.

God is in control of the people who are above you. If you need changes in your management, go to God.

2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

People will always find ways to justify their behavior, but God looks at their motives and not just their actions.

3 To do righteousness and justice is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.

It is no point giving your money for God’s work if you are a wicked person who wrongs people.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

If you look down on others or think too highly of yourself, you are sinning.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, but everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.

When you do a job, do it correctly. If you try to skip corners you will have done an insufficient job.

6 The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.

If you’ve acquired your riches through lies, you’ve made a big mistake.

7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, because they refuse to act with justice.

If you’ve destroyed people to get what you want, you’ve made a big mistake.

8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but as for the pure, his conduct is upright.

Whatever you set out to do, do it without wronging anyone.

9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

A woman who argues about everything is very undesirable. Don’t associate with her.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

If you can’t see anything good in the people around you then the problem is you, not them.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

If you correct a wise man, he learns; if you correct a scoffer, he won’t learn, but someone else might learn.

12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, turning the wicked to ruin.

By doing what’s right, you set the standard to those who are around you, leaving them with no excuse for any wicked behavior in them.

13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.

Don’t ignore the poor and needy; if you do, God will ignore you when you are in need.

14 A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

If someone is angry with you, try giving them a gift to appease their anger.

15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, but is terror to the workers of iniquity.

When the wicked are punished for their wickedness, other wicked people become afraid of continuing their wickedness.

16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

If you do things without thinking about what you are doing, you will soon find yourself in trouble.

17 He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not become rich.

Don’t get too fond of pleasure. If you get used to it you will spend too much with it and you will become poor.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous is in the place of the upright.

19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and vexing woman.

Some women are best left alone because they fight with everyone around them.

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

A wise man accumulates wealth and treasure but a foolish man consumes it.

21 He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor.

Continue doing what is right and your reward will eventually come.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

Wisdom allows you to solve difficult problems.

23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.

Watch what you say for your words can easily get you into trouble.

24 “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names, who acts with insolent pride.

If you consistently behave badly, you will get a reputation for bad behavior.

25 The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work;

26 All day long he is craving, while the righteous gives and does not hold back.

A lazy person will never get what he wants because he doesn’t want to earn it.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, how much more when he brings it with evil intent!

If your heart is not right with God, whatever good you do for Him is worthless in His eyes.

28 A false witness will perish, but the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.

If you want to speak words that will always have value, learn to listen to what God tells you.

29 A wicked man displays a bold face, but as for the upright, he makes his way sure.

When faced with a problem, don’t just pretend to have a solution; find a real solution.

30 There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against the LORD.

You cannot win against God; so don’t even dream of getting on God’s bad side.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory belongs to the LORD.

No matter how much you prepare for the fight, if God doesn’t want you to win, you will not win.