Proverbs 21:1-31
21:1 Our hearts are in the hand of God; those who submit to Him allow their lives to be led and changed and grown by God's authority. It is a wise leader that submits their heart to God just as our Messiah has done.
21:2 Although we may justify our actions, it is God's judgement that is ultimate and true.
21:3 Sacrifice was a popular practice in Biblical times; but then and now God prefers us to be righteous and just more than He wishes us to sacrifice to Him. In Micah 6:6-8 we learn that God does not prefer to receive sacrifices.
21:4 An arrogant mindset and heart are equated with wickedness and sin.
21:5 Live diligently in faith and the path will reach blessing and achievement. But hasty steps and plans do not build firm foundations.
21:6 People may think it works to gain wealth, power and fame through sinful and deceptive means but proverbs tells us their gain is a fantasy. They lose what they corruptly garnered.
21:7 Corrupt behavior causes corruption to come; it is an endless and desperate cycle.
21:8 A liar's way is perverse; a honest person's work is right.
21:9 It is better to live humbly and in peace than in a lavish but contentious atmosphere.
21:10 A wicked person will not have peace with anyone around them.
21:11 Arrogant people are brought down by their selfishness but the humble grow in character.
21:12 God is committed to the righteous; He will remove unrighteousness from the world.
21:13 Ignorance and neglect cause one to be ignored and neglected in blessing. They have not built connections with people or God that can help them in their own time of need.
21:14 Bribery is a dangerous business, we should not participate in it.
21:15 Justice, rather than a responsibility, is a joy to a righteous person. But injustice will cause destruction for the person who commits it.
21:16 To wander from God's path is to lose understanding and to meet destruction.
21:17 We must learn moderation and even temperance from the things which cause us to become slothful, unproductive and even corrupt. It is important for us to be purposeful and productive.
21:18 Evil is exchanged for righteousness. The unfaithful are exchanged for the faithful and upright.
21:19 It is better to have peace even in a wilderness than to live in a contentious place.
21:20 We must not squander our blessings; we should utilize and share what we have to abound blessing, not waste it.
21:21 God's path of righteousness and mercy leads to life, righteousness and honor. We are led by good into good places, for good purposes.
21:22 It is wise to tear down corrupt institutions (though it may require extraordinary effort).
21:23 Better to listen and observe than to boast, blabber, argue or gossip. We keep our soul from trouble when we learn to listen to the counsel of God and avoid causing contention between people.
21:24 Arrogance is shameful and unwise.
21:25-26 Ensure that you do not become enthralled by desires. Desire causes one to be lazy and distracted. But a righteous person gives instead of chasing desires, providing for their families and supporting their friends and those in need.
21:27 God cannot be fooled; any act with sinful intentions is rejected by Him (even if it has others fooled).
21:28 Lies can cause innocent people harm; harm finds the liar.
21:29 Wickedness is stubborn and callous. But a righteous person is established on their path.
21:30 Anything that is against God is useless.
21:31 Evil will have war waged upon them but the righteous will be kept by God.
