잠언 21

¹A king’s heart is like streams of water in the hand of the LORD, \q who directs it wherever he pleases. ²People think every road they take is right, \q but the LORD weighs the heart. ³The LORD would rather see people do what is right and just \q than offer sacrifice. ⁴Proud eyes and an arrogant heart, \q the lamp that lights the way of the wicked, are sin.^{a 5}The plans of the diligent bring nothing but gain, \q but all who rush in haste come to nothing but need. ⁶Riches gained by a lying tongue are a mist that drifts away, \q and those who seek them seek death.^{b 7}The wicked are swept away by their own violence, \q since they will not do what is just. ⁸The path of the guilty is twisted, \q but the conduct of the pure is straight. ⁹It is better to live up in a corner of the rooftop \q than to share a home with a wife who quarrels. ¹⁰The wicked hunger for evil; \q their neighbors find no mercy from them. ¹¹When a mocker is punished, the naive learn wisdom; \q when the wise are taught, they take in knowledge. ¹²The Righteous One watches over the house of the wicked \q and throws the wicked down to ruin.^{c 13}Whoever stops their ears to the cry of the poor \q will also call out one day and get no answer. ¹⁴A gift given in secret calms anger, \q and a bribe tucked in the cloak quiets fierce rage. ¹⁵When justice is done, the righteous rejoice, \q but evildoers are filled with dread. ¹⁶Whoever strays from the path of good sense \q will come to rest in the company of the dead. ¹⁷Those who love pleasure will end up poor; \q those who love wine and fine oil will never be rich. ¹⁸The wicked serve as ransom for the righteous, \q and the treacherous go in place of the upright. ¹⁹It is better to live in the wilderness \q than with a wife who quarrels and frets. ²⁰Valuable treasure and oil are stored in the home of the wise, \q but a fool gulps it all down. ²¹Whoever chases after what is right and loyal love \q finds life, vindication, and honor. ²²A wise person can scale a city held by warriors \q and pull down the stronghold they relied on. ²³Whoever watches their mouth and tongue \q keeps themselves out of trouble. ²⁴The proud and haughty earn the name of mocker; \q they act with boundless arrogance. ²⁵The lazy one’s cravings will be the death of them, \q because their hands refuse to work. ²⁶All day long the lazy only crave more, \q but the righteous give without holding back. ²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable, \q and all the more when it is offered with evil intent. ²⁸A false witness will perish, \q but one who listens carefully will speak with lasting effect.^{d 29}The wicked put on a bold face, \q but the upright give thought to the way they go.^{e 30}No wisdom, no understanding, \q no plan can stand against the LORD.

³¹People ready the horse for the day of battle, \q yet the victory belongs to the LORD.