Proverbs 21
English Standard Version
21 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he (A)turns it wherever he will.
2 (B)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord (C)weighs the heart.
3 (D)To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 (E)Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
(F)the lamp[a] of the wicked, are sin.
5 The plans of (G)the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is (H)hasty comes (I)only to poverty.
6 (J)The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a (K)fleeting (L)vapor and a (M)snare of death.[b]
7 The violence of the wicked will (N)sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of the guilty (O)is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.
9 It is (P)better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When (Q)a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Righteous One (R)observes the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked down to ruin.
13 (S)Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.
14 (T)A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe,[c] strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
(U)but terror to evildoers.
16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
(V)will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 (W)The wicked is a (X)ransom for the righteous,
and the traitor for the upright.
19 It is (Y)better to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
20 (Z)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
but a foolish man (AA)devours it.
21 Whoever (AB)pursues righteousness and kindness
will find (AC)life, righteousness, and honor.
22 (AD)A wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 (AE)Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue
(AF)keeps himself out of (AG)trouble.
24 (AH)“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of (AI)the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long he craves and craves,
but the righteous (AJ)gives and does not hold back.
27 (AK)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more (AL)when he brings it with evil intent.
28 (AM)A false witness will perish,
but the word of a man who hears will endure.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright (AN)gives thought to[d] his ways.
30 (AO)No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
can avail against the Lord.
31 (AP)The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but (AQ)the victory belongs to the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:4 Or the plowing
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
- Proverbs 21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom
- Proverbs 21:29 Or establishes
Proverbs 21
New American Standard Bible
On Life and Conduct
21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
He (A)turns it wherever He pleases.
2 (B)Every person’s way is right in his own eyes,
But the Lord (C)examines the hearts.
3 To do (D)righteousness and justice
Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
The (E)lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the (F)diligent certainly lead to advantage,
But everyone (G)who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.
6 The (H)acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a fleeting vapor, the [a]pursuit of (I)death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
Because they (J)refuse to act with justice.
8 The way of a guilty person is (K)crooked,
But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.
9 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
Than [b]in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His (L)neighbor is shown no compassion in his eyes.
11 When the (M)scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The [c]righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
Bringing the (N)wicked to ruin.
13 One who (O)shuts his ear to the outcry of the poor
Will also call out himself, and not be (P)answered.
14 A (Q)gift in secret subdues anger,
And a bribe [d]in an inside pocket, strong wrath.
15 The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous,
But (R)terror to those who practice injustice.
16 A person who wanders from the way of understanding
Will (S)rest in the assembly of the [e]dead.
17 One who (T)loves pleasure will become a poor person;
One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The wicked is a (U)ransom for the righteous,
And the (V)treacherous is in the place of the upright.
19 (W)It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and irritating woman.
20 There is precious (X)treasure and oil in the home of the wise,
But a foolish person (Y)swallows it up.
21 One who (Z)pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A (AA)wise person scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the [f]stronghold in which they trust.
23 One who (AB)guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
24 “Proud,” “Arrogant,” “(AC)Scoffer,” are his names,
One who acts with (AD)insolent pride.
25 The (AE)desire of the [g]lazy one puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work;
26 All day long he [h]is craving,
While the righteous (AF)gives and does not hold back.
27 The (AG)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A (AH)false witness will perish,
But a person who listens will speak forever.
29 A wicked person [i](AI)displays a bold face,
But as for the (AJ)upright, he makes his way sure.
30 There is (AK)no wisdom, no understanding,
And no [j]plan against the Lord.
31 The (AL)horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But the (AM)victory belongs to the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:6 Lit seekers
- Proverbs 21:9 Lit with a woman of contentions and a house of association
- Proverbs 21:12 Or Righteous One
- Proverbs 21:14 Lit a fold in a robe; i.e., secretly
- Proverbs 21:16 Lit departed spirits
- Proverbs 21:22 Lit strength of trust
- Proverbs 21:25 Lit idle
- Proverbs 21:26 Lit desires desire
- Proverbs 21:29 Lit makes firm with his face
- Proverbs 21:30 Or advice
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
