Proverbs 21
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.
2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer,
but the Lord weighs the heart.(A)
3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(B)
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked—are sin.(C)
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to want.(D)
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare[a] of death.(E)
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away
because they refuse to do what is just.(F)
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 wife.(G)
10 The souls of the wicked desire evil;
their neighbors find no mercy in their eyes.(H)
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple become wiser;
when the wise are instructed, they increase in knowledge.(I)
12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he casts the wicked down to ruin.(J)
13 If you close your ear to the cry of the poor,
you will cry out and not be heard.(K)
14 A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.(L)
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
but dismay to evildoers.
16 Whoever wanders from the way of understanding
will rest in the assembly of the dead.(M)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will suffer want;
whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous
and the faithless for the upright.(N)
19 It is better to live in a desert land
than with a contentious and fretful wife.
20 Precious treasure remains[b] in the house of the wise,
but the fool devours it.(O)
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life[c] and honor.(P)
22 One wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down the stronghold in which they trusted.(Q)
23 To watch over mouth and tongue
is to keep out of trouble.(R)
24 The proud, haughty person, named Scoffer,
acts with arrogant pride.(S)
25 The craving of the lazy person is fatal,
for lazy hands refuse to labor.(T)
26 All day long the wicked covet,[d]
but the righteous give and do not hold back.(U)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
how much more when brought with evil intent.(V)
28 A false witness will perish,
but a good listener will testify successfully.
29 The wicked put on a bold face,
but the upright give thought to[e] their ways.(W)
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel
can avail against the Lord.(X)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the Lord.(Y)
Proverbs 21
Common English Bible
21 The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord;
he directs it wherever he wants.
2 Everyone’s path is straight in their own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 Acting with righteousness and justice
is more valued by the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Prideful eyes, an arrogant heart, and
the lamp of the wicked are all sinful.
5 The plans of the diligent end up in profit,
but those who hurry end up with loss.
6 Those who gain treasure with lies
are like a drifting fog, leading to death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
for they refuse to act with justice.
8 The ways of some people are twisted and strange,
but the behavior of those who do right is pure.
9 Better to live on the edge of a roof
than with a contentious woman in a large house.
10 Wicked people desire evil;
their neighbors receive no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the naive person gains wisdom;
when insight comes to the wise, knowledge increases.
12 The righteous one observes the house of the wicked,
turning the wicked toward trouble.
13 Those who close their ears to the cries of the poor
will themselves call out but receive no answer.
14 A secret gift calms anger,
and a hidden bribe removes[a] furious wrath.
15 Acting justly is a joy to the righteous,
but dreaded by those who do evil.
16 People who wander from the path of insight
will rest in the company of the dead.
17 Those who love pleasure end up poor;
lovers of wine and oil won’t get rich.
18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous;
the treacherous will be punished[b] in the place of the virtuous.
19 Better to live in a wilderness
than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.
20 Precious treasure and oil stay in the home of the wise,
but fools swallow them up.
21 Those who pursue righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise person fought a city of warriors
and brought down the stronghold in which they felt safe.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues
guard themselves from trouble.
24 Incredibly proud—mockers are their name!
Their conduct involves excessive pride.
25 The desires of the lazy will kill them,
because their hands refuse to do anything.
26 The lazy desire things constantly,
but the righteous give without holding back.
27 The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
especially when brought with devious motives.
28 A lying witness will perish,
but one who listens will testify successfully.
29 The wicked person appears brash,
but the virtuous think about the path ahead.
30 No wisdom, understanding,
or advice can stand up against the Lord.
31 A horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory belongs to the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:14 Heb lacks removes.
- Proverbs 21:18 Heb lacks will be punished.
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible