21 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
    he (A)turns it wherever he will.
(B)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
    but the Lord (C)weighs the heart.
(D)To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
(E)Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
    (F)the lamp[a] of the wicked, are sin.
The plans of (G)the diligent lead surely to abundance,
    but everyone who is (H)hasty comes (I)only to poverty.
(J)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
    is a (K)fleeting (L)vapor and a (M)snare of death.[b]
The violence of the wicked will (N)sweep them away,
    because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of the guilty (O)is crooked,
    but the conduct of the pure is upright.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:4 Or the plowing
  2. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death

Bible Gateway Recommends

ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone Imitation Leather, Burgundy)
ESV Super Giant Print Bible (TruTone Imitation Leather, Burgundy)
Retail: $69.99
Our Price: $35.89
Save: $34.10 (49%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
Romans, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Romans, ESV Illuminated Scripture Journal
Retail: $6.99
Our Price: $3.07
Save: $3.92 (56%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Gospel of John, Paperback
ESV Gospel of John, Paperback
Retail: $3.99
Our Price: $1.17
Save: $2.82 (71%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
ESV Economy Bible, Giant Print Softcover
ESV Economy Bible, Giant Print Softcover
Retail: $11.99
Our Price: $5.83
Save: $6.16 (51%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Navy Blue
ESV Student Study Bible, TruTone, Navy Blue
Retail: $44.99
Our Price: $20.68
Save: $24.31 (54%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars