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Proverbs 21
New Catholic Bible
Proverbs 21
New Catholic Bible
Chapter 21
The Lord Weighs the Heart[a]
1 A king’s heart is like a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 A man’s ways may seem right to him,
but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.[b]
4 Haughty eyes[c] and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked—are nothing but sin.
5 The plans of the diligent will ensure profit,
but rash haste will surely lead to poverty.
6 One who amasses a fortune by means of a lying tongue
is pursuing a fleeting vapor that leads to death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away
because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the innocent is straightforward.
9 It is better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a spacious house with a nagging wife.[d]
10 The soul of the wicked man is intent on evil;
his neighbor beholds no pity in his countenance.
11 When the scoffer[e] is punished, the simple become wiser;
when the wise man is instructed, he increases in knowledge.
12 The Righteous One watches the house of the evildoer
and brings the evildoer to destruction.
13 One who shuts his ears to the cries of the poor
will himself also cry out and not be heard.
14 A gift given secretly appeases anger,
and a gift concealed in the cloak will avert violent wrath.
15 When justice is done, the upright rejoice,
but evildoers are filled with terror.
16 Anyone who strays from the way of prudence
will rest in the company of the shades.[f]
17 Whoever craves pleasure will end up in want;
whoever loves wine and oil will never grow rich.
18 The wicked man serves as a ransom for the righteous,[g]
as does the faithless man for the upright.
19 It is better to live alone in the wilderness
than with a nagging and irritable wife.
20 The house of the wise man is filled with precious treasure and oil,
but the fool squanders all he has.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness[h] and kindness
will find life and honor too.
22 A wise man can storm a city of warriors
and overthrow the stronghold[i] upon which they relied.
23 One who guards his mouth and his tongue
will preserve himself from trouble.
24 A scoffer[j] is a proud and insolent man
who is haughty in everything he does.
25 The cravings of the idler[k] will prove fatal,
since his hands will do no work.
26 All day long the godless man continues to covet,
whereas the righteous man gives unsparingly.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent,
and more so when it is offered for evil motives.[l]
28 A false witness will perish,
but a truthful witness will never be silenced.
29 A wicked man puts up a bold front,
but an upright man amends his ways.
30 Neither wisdom nor understanding nor counsel
can be of avail against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.[m]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:1 There is nothing unexpected in these reflections that oppose the lot of the righteous and that of the wicked, or in these comparative illustrations of wisdom and folly. The traditional teaching then in vogue about the earthly recompense of the righteous and the conviction that the wicked hasten to their ruin even on earth remain in full force. We will read two apt words about the quarrelsome woman, but this is not the first time this caricature appears in the Book. Verse 18 seems to stem from a pessimistic realism: wickedness will forever play its part in the universe! But we will meditate above all on the affirmation that the entire destiny of human beings is found in the hands of God (vv. 2, 30-31).
- Proverbs 21:3 More acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice: internal goodness is more acceptable to the Lord than external sacrifice (see v. 27; 15:8; 1 Sam 15:22; Isa 1:11-15; Am 5:22; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:7-8; Mal 1:12).
- Proverbs 21:4 Haughty eyes: see note on Prov 6:17; see also Prov 16:5, 18.
- Proverbs 21:9 Nagging wife: see note on Prov 19:13.
- Proverbs 21:11 Scoffer: see note on Prov 1:22; see also Prov 14:3; 19:29. Simple: see note on Prov 1:4.
- Proverbs 21:16 Company of the shades: i.e., the dead in the netherworld.
- Proverbs 21:18 The wicked man serves as a ransom for the righteous: this thought is exemplified in the history of Israel; e.g., God ransomed the exiles of Judah from the Persian conqueror Cyrus by giving him three nations (Egypt, Ethiopia, and Seba) in ransom (see Isa 43:1ff).
- Proverbs 21:21 Pursues righteousness: see Prov 15:9. Life and honor: these are the same benefits received by those who seek wisdom (see note on Prov 3:2; see also Prov 3:16; 8:18; 22:4).
- Proverbs 21:22 A wise man can . . . overthrow the stronghold: i.e., “wisdom is better than power” (Eccl 9:16). See also Prov 24:5; 2 Cor 10:14, both of which indicate that spiritual weapons have divine power to overthrow strongholds.
- Proverbs 21:24 Scoffer: see note on Prov 1:22. Such a person is punished because of his pride (see v. 11; 3:34; 19:25, 29).
- Proverbs 21:25 Idler: see note on Prov 6:6.
- Proverbs 21:27 See note on Prov 21:3.
- Proverbs 21:31 Neither horses nor chariots nor any other means of fighting a battle can ensure victory (see Ps 20:8; Hos 1:7; see Deut 7:16), since it is the Lord alone who ensures victory (see 1 Sam 17:47; Pss 3:9; 27:1; 28:9; 33:12-19; Isa 31:1; 43:3; Rev 7:10).
Proverbs 21
English Standard Version
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
King James Version
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 New Version (Traditional)
箴言 21
Chinese New Version (Traditional)
追求公義仁愛必得尊榮
21 君王的心在耶和華手中，好像水溝的水，
他可以隨意轉移。
2 人看自己一切所行的，都是正直的；
耶和華卻衡量人心。
3 秉公行義，
比獻祭更蒙耶和華悅納。
4 高傲的眼、傲慢的心，
惡人的燈，都是罪惡。
5 殷勤人的籌劃必使他獲利；
行事急躁的必致貧窮。
6 憑撒謊的舌頭得來的財寶，
是飄蕩的浮雲、死亡的追尋。
7 惡人的暴行必拖累自己；
因為他們不肯秉行公正。
8 罪人的道路充滿狡詐，
清潔的人，行為正直。
9 寧可住在房頂的一角，
也不跟吵鬧的婦人同住一間房屋。
10 惡人的心只求邪惡，
他的眼並不顧惜鄰舍。
11 好譏笑人的受刑罰的時候，愚蒙人就得著智慧；
智慧人受訓誨的時候，他就得著知識。
12 公義的 神留意惡人的家，
使惡人在禍患中毀滅。
13 塞耳不聽貧窮人呼求的，
他將來呼求，也得不到應允。
14 暗中送的禮物，可以平息怒氣，
懷裡藏的賄賂，能平息暴怒。
15 秉行公正，使義人喜樂，
卻使作孽的人恐懼。
16 偏離明慧之道的人，
必住在陰魂的會中。
17 貪愛享樂的，必成為窮乏人；
好酒愛脂油的，必不會富足。
18 惡人作了義人的贖價，
奸詐人作了正直人的替身。
19 寧可住在野地，
也不跟吵鬧易怒的婦人同住。
20 智慧人的居所中，積存珍貴的財物和油；
愚昧人卻把他所有的揮霍耗盡。
21 追求公義與慈愛的，
必得著生命、公義和榮耀。
22 智慧人登上勇士的城，
傾覆他倚靠的堅壘。
23 謹守口舌的，
保護自己免受患難。
24 驕傲自大的人，他的名字是好譏笑人的；
他行事狂妄驕傲。
25 懶惰人的願望害死自己，
因為他的手不肯工作。
26 他終日貪得無厭，
但義人施予毫不吝嗇。
27 惡人的祭物是耶和華所厭惡的，
更何況是懷著惡念來獻的呢？
28 作假見證的必要滅亡，
聆聽真情的人，他的話長存。
29 惡人厚顏無恥，
正直人卻堅定他的道路。
30 任何智慧、聰明、
謀略都不能敵擋耶和華。
31 馬是為打仗之日預備的，
勝利卻在於耶和華。
Proverbs 21
New International Version
Proverbs 21
New International Version
21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.(A)
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.(B)
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(C)
4 Haughty eyes(D) and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit(E)
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(G)
for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,(H)
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(I)
10 The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(J)
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(N)
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.(O)
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.(P)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(Q)
18 The wicked become a ransom(R) for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(S)
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(V)
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
24 The proud and arrogant person(Y)—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(Z)
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous(AA) give without sparing.(AB)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(AC)—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!(AD)
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.(AG)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.(AJ)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
- Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
- Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Chinese New Version (Traditional) (CNVT) 
Chinese New Version (CNV). Copyright © 1976, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2005 by Worldwide Bible Society.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.