Proverbs 21

¹The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

²Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

³To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

⁵The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

⁶The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

⁷The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

⁸The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

⁹It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

¹⁰The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

¹¹When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

¹²The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

¹³Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

¹⁴A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

¹⁵It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

¹⁶The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

¹⁷He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

¹⁸The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

¹⁹It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

²⁰There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

²¹He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

²²A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

²³Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

²⁴Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

²⁵The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

²⁶He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

²⁷The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

²⁸A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

²⁹A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

³⁰There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

³¹The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.