Proverbs 21
New American Bible (Revised Edition)
Chapter 21
1 A king’s heart is channeled water in the hand of the Lord;
God directs it where he pleases.[a]
2 All your ways may be straight in your own eyes,
but it is the Lord who weighs hearts.(A)
3 To do what is right and just(B)
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.[b]
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked will fail.[c]
5 The plans of the diligent end in profit,
but those of the hasty end in loss.[d]
6 Trying to get rich by lying
is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is right.
8 One’s path may be winding and unfamiliar,
but one’s conduct is blameless and right.[e]
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop
than in a mansion with a quarrelsome woman.[f](C)
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
their neighbor finds no pity in their eyes.
11 When scoffers are punished the naive become wise;
when the wise succeed, they gain knowledge.(D)
12 The Righteous One appraises the house of the wicked,
bringing down the wicked to ruin.[g]
13 Those who shut their ears to the cry of the poor
will themselves call out and not be answered.
14 A secret gift allays anger,
and a present concealed, violent wrath.[h]
15 When justice is done it is a joy for the just,
downfall for evildoers.[i](E)
16 Whoever strays from the way of good sense
will abide in the assembly of the shades.[j]
17 The lover of pleasure will suffer want;
the lover of wine and perfume will never be rich.
18 The wicked serve as ransom for the just,
and the faithless for the upright.[k](F)
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness
than with a quarrelsome wife and trouble.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the house of the wise,
but the fool consumes them.
21 Whoever pursues justice and kindness
will find life and honor.[l]
22 The wise person storms the city of the mighty,
and overthrows the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Those who guard mouth and tongue
guard themselves[m] from trouble.(G)
24 Proud, boastful—scoffer is the name:
those who act with overbearing pride.
25 The desire of sluggards will slay them,
for their hands refuse to work.[n]
26 Some are consumed with avarice all the day,
but the just give unsparingly.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
the more so when they offer it with bad intent.(H)
28 The false witness will perish,(I)
but one who listens will give lasting testimony.
29 The face of the wicked hardens,
but the upright maintains a straight course.[o]
30 No wisdom, no understanding,
no counsel prevail against the Lord.
31 The horse is equipped for the day of battle,
but victory is the Lord’s.
Footnotes
- 21:1 “Channeled water” in Is 32:2 and Prv 5:16 is water that fertilizes arid land. It takes great skill to direct water, whether it be water to fertilize fields or cosmic floods harnessed at creation, for water is powerful and seems to have a mind of its own. It also requires great skill to direct the heart of a king, for it is inscrutable and beyond ordinary human control.
- 21:3 External rites or sacrifices do not please God unless accompanied by internal worship and right moral conduct; cf. 15:8; 21:27; Is 1:11–15; Am 5:22; Mal 1:12.
- 21:4 Heart and eyes depict, respectively, the inner and the outer person. “Haughty eyes” peering out from a “proud heart” show a thoroughly arrogant person. How can such a person flourish! Their lamp, which signifies life, will go out.
- 21:5 The antitheses are diligent and impetuous. The metaphor characterizing each type is taken from the world of commerce. Planning is important; bustle leads to waste.
- 21:8 One cannot always read others’ hearts from their behavior. Unconventional conduct need not indicate evil motives.
- 21:9 In Proverbs, two great obstacles to a happy household are foolish children and quarrelsome spouses. The nagging wife is also mentioned in 19:13 and 27:15; 25:24 is a duplicate.
- 21:12 It is difficult to ascertain the subject of the saying. Some hold it is the Lord, the “Righteous One,” who is normally the executor of justice in Proverbs. Others believe it is the just person who is the agent of divine justice. “Righteous One” is a title for God in Is 24:16. The best argument for making God the subject of the verb is that elsewhere in Proverbs righteous human beings never do anything to the wicked; only God does.
- 21:14 Proverbs offers several remedies for anger—a soft word (15:1), patience, and a bribe. The last remedy implies a certain disdain for the disordered passion of anger, for it can be so easily assuaged by a discreetly offered “gift.”
- 21:15 The second line is a duplicate of 10:29b.
- 21:16 Assembly of the shades: those who dwell in Sheol.
- 21:18 In this bold paradox, the ransom that protects the righteous is the wicked person who attracts, like a lightning rod, the divine wrath that might have been directed at the righteous.
- 21:21 The paradox is that one comes upon something other than what one pursued. The way to (long and healthy) life and honor is the vigorous pursuit of virtue.
- 21:23 Themselves: see note on 13:3. To guard your “self” (lit., “throat,” the moist and breathing center of the body, by metonymy, “life”), you must guard your tongue. Speech in Proverbs is the quintessential human activity and often has a meaning broader than speech alone; it can stand for all human activity. Acting rightly is the best way to protect yourself from evil.
- 21:25 Desire, or appetite, is the impulse toward food and drink (see Ps 42:3) which spurs animals and human beings into action. But sluggards cannot lift hand to mouth; they bury their hand in the dish (19:24), and so their appetite is thwarted.
- 21:29 The wicked cannot deter the righteous from walking the straight path, i.e., from practicing virtue.
Proverbios 21
La Biblia de las Américas
21 Como canales de agua es el corazón del rey en la mano del Señor;
Él lo dirige donde le place(A).
2 Todo camino del hombre es recto ante sus ojos,
pero el Señor sondea[a] los corazones(B).
3 El hacer justicia y derecho
es más deseado por el Señor que el sacrificio(C).
4 Ojos altivos y corazón arrogante,
lámpara de los impíos(D); eso es pecado.
5 Los proyectos del diligente ciertamente son ventaja(E),
mas todo el que se apresura, ciertamente llega a la pobreza(F).
6 Conseguir tesoros(G) con lengua mentirosa
es un vapor fugaz, es buscar[b] la muerte(H).
7 La violencia de los impíos los arrastrará,
porque se niegan a obrar con justicia[c](I).
8 Torcido es el camino del pecador[d](J)
mas el proceder del limpio es recto.
9 Mejor es vivir en un rincón del terrado
que en una casa con mujer rencillosa[e].
10 El alma del impío desea el mal;
su prójimo no halla favor a sus ojos(K).
11 Cuando el escarnecedor es castigado, el simple se hace sabio(L);
pero cuando se instruye al sabio, adquiere conocimiento.
12 El justo observa la casa del impío,
llevando al impío a la ruina(M).
13 El que cierra su oído al clamor del pobre(N),
también él clamará y no recibirá respuesta(O).
14 Una dádiva(P) en secreto aplaca la ira,
y el soborno bajo el manto[f], el furor violento.
15 El cumplimiento de la justicia[g] es gozo para el justo,
pero terror para los que obran iniquidad(Q).
16 El hombre que se aparta del camino del saber
reposará en la asamblea de los muertos[h](R).
17 El que ama el placer será pobre(S);
el que ama el vino y los ungüentos no se enriquecerá.
18 El impío es rescate para el justo(T),
y el pérfido está en lugar de los rectos(U).
19 Mejor es habitar en tierra desierta
que con mujer rencillosa y molesta(V).
20 Tesoro precioso y aceite hay en la casa del sabio(W),
pero el necio todo lo disipa(X).
21 El que sigue la justicia(Y) y la lealtad[i]
halla vida, justicia y honor.
22 El sabio escala la ciudad de los poderosos
y derriba la fortaleza en que confiaban[j](Z).
23 El que guarda su boca y su lengua,
guarda su alma de angustias(AA).
24 Altivo, arrogante y escarnecedor(AB) son los nombres
del que obra con orgullo insolente(AC).
25 El deseo del perezoso(AD) lo mata,
porque sus manos rehúsan trabajar;
26 todo el día codicia[k],
mientras el justo da y nada retiene(AE).
27 El sacrificio de los impíos es abominación(AF),
cuánto más trayéndolo con mala intención.
28 El testigo falso perecerá(AG),
mas el hombre que escucha, hablará siempre.
29 El hombre impío muestra audacia en[l] su rostro(AH),
pero el recto asegura su camino(AI).
30 No vale sabiduría, ni entendimiento,
ni consejo, frente al Señor(AJ).
31 Se prepara al caballo para el día de la batalla(AK),
pero la victoria[m] es del Señor(AL).
Footnotes
- Proverbios 21:2 Lit., pesa
- Proverbios 21:6 Lit., son buscadores de
- Proverbios 21:7 O, equidad
- Proverbios 21:8 Lit., culpable
- Proverbios 21:9 Lit., casa en común con mujer contenciosa
- Proverbios 21:14 Lit., en el seno
- Proverbios 21:15 O, del derecho
- Proverbios 21:16 Lit., de las sombras
- Proverbios 21:21 O, bondad
- Proverbios 21:22 Lit., fortaleza de su confianza
- Proverbios 21:26 Lit., codicia la codicia
- Proverbios 21:29 Lit., se afirma con
- Proverbios 21:31 O, salvación
Proverbs 21
King James Version
21 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.
箴言 21
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
21 耶和华掌管君王的心，
易如支配垄沟的流水。
2 人自以为行事正确，
但耶和华衡量人心。
3 秉公行义比献祭更蒙耶和华喜悦。
4 高傲的眼，狂妄的心，恶人的灯，
都是罪恶。
5 勤劳者的计划必致富足，
行事急躁的人必致贫困。
6 骗来的财如过眼云雾，
使人掉进死亡的陷阱。
7 恶人的暴力必毁灭自己，
因为他们行事不公不义。
8 犯罪的人行径扭曲，
纯洁的人行为正直。
9 宁愿住在房顶的一角，
也不跟争闹之妻同屋。
10 恶人贪恋邪恶，
对邻舍残忍无情。
11 惩罚嘲讽者，愚人得智慧；
训诫智者，他便长见识。
12 公义的上帝鉴察恶人的家，
祂必使他们灭亡。
13 掩耳不听穷人呼求的，
他将来求救也无人管。
14 暗中送的礼物能平息愤怒，
塞进怀里的贿赂止息盛怒。
15 正义得到伸张，
义人喜、恶人怕。
16 人偏离明智之道，
终必与阴魂为伍。
17 贪图享受必穷困，
奢华宴乐难富足。
18 恶人作义人的赎价，
奸徒替正直人受苦。
19 宁愿独居旷野，
不跟吵闹易怒的女子同住。
20 智者家中积存宝物和油，
愚人将所有的挥霍一空。
21 追求公义与慈爱的，
必寻得生命、公义和尊荣。
22 智者攀上勇士的城池，
摧毁他们倚仗的坚垒。
23 管住口舌，免遭祸患。
24 嘲讽者狂妄自大，
行事骄横无比。
25 懒人的欲望害死自己，
因为他的手不肯做工。
26 懒人整天贪得无厌，
义人施舍毫不吝啬。
27 恶人的祭物已经可憎，
何况他怀着恶意来献！
28 作伪证的终灭亡，
道实情的常发言。
29 恶人虚张声势，
正直人谨慎行事。
30 任何智慧、悟性和谋略，
都不能对抗耶和华。
31 马为争战之日预备，
胜败由耶和华决定。
Scripture texts, prefaces, introductions, footnotes and cross references used in this work are taken from the New American Bible, revised edition © 2010, 1991, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.
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