63 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
63 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 21
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1 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord;
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he guides it wherever he pleases.
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2 People may be right in their own eyes,
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but the Lord examines their heart.
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3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just
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than when we offer him sacrifices.
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4 Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
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and evil actions are all sin.
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5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
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but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
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6 Wealth created by a lying tongue
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is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
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7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
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because they refuse to do what is just.
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8 The guilty walk a crooked path;
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the innocent travel a straight road.
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9 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
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than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
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10 Evil people desire evil;
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their neighbors get no mercy from them.
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11 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
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if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
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12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
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he will bring disaster on them.
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13 Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
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will be ignored in their own time of need.
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14 A secret gift calms anger;
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a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
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15 Justice is a joy to the godly,
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but it terrifies evildoers.
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16 The person who strays from common sense
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will end up in the company of the dead.
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17 Those who love pleasure become poor;
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those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
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18 The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
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and traitors in place of the honest.
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19 It’s better to live alone in the desert
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than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
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20 The wise have wealth and luxury,
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but fools spend whatever they get.
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21 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
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will find life, righteousness, and honor.
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22 The wise conquer the city of the strong
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and level the fortress in which they trust.
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23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
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and you will stay out of trouble.
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24 Mockers are proud and haughty;
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they act with boundless arrogance.
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25 Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
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for their hands refuse to work.
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26 Some people are always greedy for more,
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but the godly love to give!
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27 The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
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especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
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28 A false witness will be cut off,
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but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
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29 The wicked bluff their way through,
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but the virtuous think before they act.
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30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan
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can stand against the Lord.
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31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
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but the victory belongs to the Lord. |