Day 199 of 364

^21:1The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires. ^21:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts. ^21:3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. ^21:4A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin. ^21:5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty. ^21:6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death. ^21:7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right. ^21:8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. ^21:9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. ^21:10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. ^21:11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. ^21:12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin. ^21:13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard. ^21:14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath. ^21:15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. ^21:16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. ^21:17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich. ^21:18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright. ^21:19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman. ^21:20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up. ^21:21He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor. ^21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence. ^21:23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. ^21:24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride. ^21:25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. ^21:26There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold. ^21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind! ^21:28A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity. ^21:29A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways. ^21:30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. ^21:31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD. ^22:1A good name is more desirable than great riches, and loving favor is better than silver and gold. ^22:2The rich and the poor have this in common: The LORD is the maker of them all. ^22:3A prudent man sees danger and hides himself; but the simple pass on, and suffer for it. ^22:4The result of humility and the fear of the LORD is wealth, honor, and life. ^22:5Thorns and snares are in the path of the wicked; whoever guards his soul stays far from them. ^22:6Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. ^22:7The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. ^22:8He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. ^22:9He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor. ^22:10Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out; yes, quarrels and insults will stop. ^22:11He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully is the king’s friend. ^22:12The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. ^22:13The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I will be killed in the streets!” ^22:14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit. He who is under the LORD’s wrath will fall into it. ^22:15Folly is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of discipline drives it far from him. ^22:16Whoever oppresses the poor for his own increase and whoever gives to the rich, both come to poverty. ^22:17Turn your ear, and listen to the words of the wise. Apply your heart to my teaching. ^22:18For it is a pleasant thing if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips. ^22:19I teach you today, even you, so that your trust may be in the LORD. ^22:20Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge, ^22:21To teach you truth, reliable words, to give sound answers to the ones who sent you? ^22:22Don’t exploit the poor because he is poor; and don’t crush the needy in court; ^22:23for the LORD will plead their case, and plunder the life of those who plunder them. ^22:24Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man. Don’t associate with one who harbors anger, ^22:25lest you learn his ways and ensnare your soul. ^22:26Don’t you be one of those who strike hands, of those who are collateral for debts. ^22:27If you don’t have means to pay, why should he take away your bed from under you? ^22:28Don’t move the ancient boundary stone which your fathers have set up. ^22:29Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve kings. He won’t serve obscure men.