Lectionary Calendar
Thursday, November 21st, 2024
the Week of Proper 28 / Ordinary 33
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Lexham English Bible

Proverbs 21

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1 Streams of water are the heart[a] of a king in the hand of Yahweh;
    wherever[b] he will desire, he will turn.
2 Every way of a man is upright in his own eyes,
    but Yahweh weighs hearts.[c]
3 Doing righteousness and justice is more acceptable
    to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes and pride of heart,
    the lamp of the wicked are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent only lead to abundance,
    but all who are hasty, only to want.
6 He who makes treasure by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and seeker[d] of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
    for they refuse to do justice.
8 Crooked is the way of a man and a foreigner,
    but the pure is upright in his conduct.
9 Better to dwell on the corner of a roof
    than to share a house with a woman[e] of contention.
10 The soul[f] of the wicked desires evil;
    his neighbor will not find mercy in his eyes.
11 With the punishment of a scoffer, the simple will become wise,
    and with the instruction of the wise, he will obtain knowledge.
12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
    he throws the wicked to ruin.
13 He who closes his ear from the cry of the poor,
    he also will cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret[g] will avert anger,[h]
    and a concealed bribe,[i] strong wrath.
15 It is a joy to the righteous to do justice,
    but dismay to those who do evil.
16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding,
    in the assembly of the dead[j] he will rest.
17 A man of want is he who loves pleasure;
    he who loves wine and oil[k] will not become rich.
18 A ransom for the righteous is the wicked,
    and the faithless instead of the upright.
19 Better to live in a land of wilderness
    than with a wife of quarrels and provocation.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise,
    but the foolish person[l] will devour them.[m]
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 To a city of warriors, the wise ascends,
    and he will bring down the stronghold—its object of trust.
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
    he guards his life[n] from danger.
24 The proud, haughty one: "scoffer" is his name;
    he acts with arrogance of pride.
25 The craving of a lazy person will kill him,
    for his hands refuse to work.[o]
26 All day[p] he craves a craving,
    but the righteous will give and not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
    how much more when he brings it in divisiveness!
28 A false witness will perish,
    but a man who listens will testify with[q] success.
29 A wicked man is strong in his countenance,[r]
    but the upright will appoint his paths.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding,
    nor counsel to oppose Yahweh.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
    but to Yahweh belongs the victory.

 
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