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.
Proverbs 21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever He chooses.(A)
3 Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(C)
5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.(E)
7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.
9 Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.(I)
11 When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge.(K)
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
He brings the wicked to ruin.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered.(L)
15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to those who practice iniquity.(N)
16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom
will come to rest
in the assembly of the departed spirits.(O)
17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.(P)
19 Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.(R)
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
but a foolish man consumes them.[i](S)
21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.(T)
22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress.(U)
23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.(V)
24 The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive pride.(W)
25 A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work.(X)
26 He is filled with craving[j] all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back.(Y)
27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives!(Z)
28 A lying witness will perish,(AA)
but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,(AB)
but the upright man considers his way.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the Lord.(AC)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:2 Lit Lord weighs the hearts
- Proverbs 21:4 Some Hb mss, ancient versions read tillage
- Proverbs 21:6 Or a breath blown away
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
- Proverbs 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death
- Proverbs 21:10 Or favor
- Proverbs 21:14 Lit a bribe in the bosom
- Proverbs 21:18 Or in place of
- Proverbs 21:20 Lit it
- Proverbs 21:26 Lit He craves a craving
Proverbs 21
American Standard Version
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses:
He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;
But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart,
[a]Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;
But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked;
But as for the pure, his work is [b]right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in [c]a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
And [d]when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 [e]The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked,
How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret [f]pacifieth anger;
And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
[g]But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
Shall rest in the assembly of [h]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 is a ransom for the righteous;
And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land,
Than with [i]a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness
Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name;
He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long;
But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more, when he bringeth it [j]with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness shall perish;
But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face;
But as for the upright, [k]he establisheth his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle;
But [l]victory is of Jehovah.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:4 Or, And the tillage
- Proverbs 21:8 Or, straight
- Proverbs 21:9 Or, a house in common. Hebrew a house of society.
- Proverbs 21:11 Or, when one considereth the wise
- Proverbs 21:12 Or, One that is righteous . . . he overthroweth the wicked etc.
- Proverbs 21:14 Hebrew bendeth.
- Proverbs 21:15 Or, But destruction shall be to etc.
- Proverbs 21:16 Or, the shades. Hebrew Rephaim.
- Proverbs 21:19 Or, a contentious woman and vexation
- Proverbs 21:27 Or, to atone for wickedness
- Proverbs 21:29 Another reading is, he considereth his way.
- Proverbs 21:31 Or, deliverance
Proverbs 21
Young's Literal Translation
21 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright [is] his work.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
Proverbs 21
Revised Standard Version
21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but every one who is hasty comes only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is right.
9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked;
the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13 He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret averts anger;
and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous,
but dismay to evildoers.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
and the faithless for the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 Precious treasure remains[a] in a wise man’s dwelling,
but a foolish man devours it.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life[b] and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.
24 “Scoffer” is the name of the proud, haughty man
who acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him
for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long the wicked covets,[c]
but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when he brings it with evil intent.
28 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 an upright man considers[d] his ways.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel,
can avail against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:20 Gk: Heb and oil
- Proverbs 21:21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness
- Proverbs 21:26 Gk: Heb all day long he covets covetously
- Proverbs 21:29 Another reading is establishes
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Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.