The Word Am I

The Proverbs

Catholic Public Domain :: World English Bible Catholic

- Chapter 21 -

The treasure of the wicked

(Psalm 21:1-13)
1
Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.
2
Every way of a man seems right to himself. But the Lord weighs hearts.
3
To do mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices.
4
To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.
5
The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.
6
Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.
7
The robberies of the impious will drag them down, because they were not willing to do judgment.
8
The perverse way of a man is foreign. But whoever is pure: his work is upright.
9
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.
10
The soul of the impious desires evil; he will not take pity on his neighbor.
11
When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge.
12
The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.

The treasures of the wise

13
Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.
14
A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.
15
It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.
16
A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.
17
Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.
18
The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of the upright.
19
It is better to live in a deserted land, than with a quarrelsome and emotional woman.
20
There is desirable treasure, as well as oil, in the habitations of the just. And the imprudent man will waste it.
21
Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.
22
The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.
23
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.
24
A proud and arrogant one is also called ignorant, if he, in anger, acts according to pride.
25
Desires kill the lazy, for his hands are not willing to work at all.
26
He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.
27
The sacrifices of the impious are abominable, because they are offered out of wickedness.
28
A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.
29
The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.
30
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle. But the Lord bestows salvation.

The treasure of the wicked

(Psalm 21:1-13)
1
The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4
A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

The treasures of the wise

13
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
19
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name he works in the arrogance of pride.
25
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
27
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28
A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.