#proverbs 21

The King's Heart

1 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord evaluates the motives.

3 Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.

7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.

8 A guilty man’s conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.

9 Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.

10 A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.

11 When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.

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.

14 A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.

16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.

18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.

19 Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.

20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them.

21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.

23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24 The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,” acts with excessive pride.

25 A slacker’s craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. 26 He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don’t hold back.

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable— how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

28 A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the Lord.

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord. — Proverbs 21 | Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. All rights reserved. Cross References: 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Samuel 5:6; Ezra 6:22; Job 20:15; Psalm 1:1; Psalm 49:14; Psalm 52:3; Proverbs 2:15; Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 8:36; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 10:29; Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 14:11; Proverbs 17:8; Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 19:25; Proverbs 23:21; Ecclesiastes 6:10; Ecclesiastes 8:1; Isaiah 43:3; Isaiah 66:3; Amos 5:7; Matthew 5:6; Matthew 5:42; Matthew 18:30; Luke 11:34; Luke 16:15; 1 Corinthians 15:57; James 3:2

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

The Lord Considers the Heart

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right.

9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

15 It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

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 shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright.

19 Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman.

20 There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it.

21 He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride.

25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. 26 He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

28 A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

29 A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.

30 There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.

Wise and Foolish Behaviors