Proverbs 21
21
1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
2#Prov. 16:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
#Prov. 24:12; Luke 16:15But the Lord weighs the hearts.
3#1 Sam. 15:22; Prov. 15:8; Is. 1:11, 16, 17; Hos. 6:6; (Mic. 6:7, 8)To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4#Prov. 6:17A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5#Prov. 10:4The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6#2 Pet. 2:3Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with #Prov. 19:13a contentious woman.
10#James 4:5The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the #Prov. 19:25wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13#(Matt. 7:2; 18:30–34); James 2:13; 1 John 3:17Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the #Ps. 49:14dead.
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20#Ps. 112:3; Prov. 8:21There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21#Prov. 15:9; Matt. 5:6; (Rom. 2:7); 1 Cor. 15:58He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A #2 Sam. 5:6–9; Prov. 24:5; Eccl. 7:19; 9:15, 16wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23#Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; (James 3:2)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25The #Prov. 13:4desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous #(Prov. 22:9; Eph. 4:28)gives and does not spare.
27#Prov. 15:8; Is. 66:3; Jer. 6:20; Amos 5:22The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30#Is. 8:9, 10; (Jer. 9:23, 24); Acts 5:39; 1 Cor. 3:19, 20There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But #Ps. 3:8; Jer. 3:23; (1 Cor. 15:57)deliverance is of the Lord.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
