Proverbs 21

English Standard Version

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. (Ezr 6:22) 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. (1Sa 16:7; Pr 12:15; Pr 16:2; Pr 24:12; Lu 16:15; 1Co 4:4) 3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (1Sa 15:22; Pr 15:8) 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp[1] of the wicked, are sin. (1Ki 11:36; Ps 101:5; Pr 6:17) 5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. (Pr 10:4; Pr 11:24; Pr 14:23; Pr 19:2; Pr 22:16) 6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.[2] (Job 13:25; Pr 8:36; Pr 10:2; Pr 13:11; Pr 20:21) 7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. (Jer 30:23) 8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. (Pr 2:15) 9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. (Pr 19:13; Pr 21:19; Pr 25:24; Pr 27:15) 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. (Ps 1:1; Pr 19:25) 12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. (Ps 37:35) 13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. (Mt 18:30; Jas 2:13) 14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe,[3] strong wrath. (Pr 17:8; Pr 18:16) 15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. (Pr 10:29) 16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. (Ps 49:14) 17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. (Pr 11:8; Isa 43:3) 19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. (Pr 21:9) 20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. (Job 20:15; Job 20:18; Ps 112:3) 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. (1Ki 3:11; Pr 3:3; Pr 3:16; Pr 4:22; Pr 15:9; Mt 5:6; Mt 6:33) 22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. (2Sa 5:6; Pr 24:5; Ec 7:19; Ec 9:14) 23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. (Pr 12:13; Pr 13:3; Pr 22:5) 24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. (Ps 1:1; Pr 1:22) 25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. (Pr 13:4) 26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. (Ps 37:26) 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. (Pr 15:8; Pr 24:9; Isa 66:3) 28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. (Pr 19:5; Pr 19:9) 29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to[4] his ways. (Ps 119:5) 30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. (Pr 19:21; Isa 8:9; 1Co 3:19) 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. (Ps 20:7; Ps 33:17; Isa 31:1; Jer 3:23)