Proverbs 21

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.footnote afootnote b

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.footnote c

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.footnote dfootnote e

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.footnote f

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.footnote g

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.footnote h

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.footnote i

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?footnote j

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.footnote k

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.footnote l

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.footnote m

The King’s Heart

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD;He directs it where He pleases.

2All a man’s ways seem right to him,but the LORD weighs the heart.

3To do righteousness and justiceis more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty,as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6Making a fortune by a lying tongueis a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them awaybecause they refuse to do what is just.

8The way of a guilty man is crooked,but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9Better to live on a corner of the roofthan to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The soul of the wicked man craves evil;his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

12The Righteous Onefootnote aconsiders the house of the wickedand brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

14A gift in secret soothes anger,and a covert bribefootnote bpacifies great wrath.

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous,but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

16The man who strays from the path of understandingwill rest in the assembly of the dead.

17He who loves pleasure will become poor;the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,and the faithless for the upright.

19Better to live in the desertthan with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise,but a foolish man consumes them.

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotionfinds life, righteousness, and honor.

22A wise man scales the city of the mightyand pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

23He who guards his mouth and tonguekeeps his soul from distress.

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

25The craving of the slacker kills himbecause his hands refuse to work. 26All day long he covets more,but the righteous give without restraint.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

28A lying witness will perish,but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

29A wicked man hardens his face,footnote cbut the upright man makes his way sure.

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counselthat can prevail against the LORD.

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle,but victory is of the LORD.