The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like
the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own
eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to Yahweh than
sacrifice.
4 A high look and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to
profit; and everyone who is hasty surely
rushes to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor for those who seek
death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drive
them away, because they refuse to do whatis right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the
housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house
of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the
poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be
heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
but it is a destruction to the workers of
iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of
understanding shall rest in the assembly
of the departed spirits.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor
man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be
rich.
18 The wickedis a ransomfor the righteous,
the treacherous for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land,
than with a contentious and fretful
woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the
dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He who follows after righteousness and
kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his
tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer”
is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all
day long; but the righteous give and don’t with hold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness will perish.
A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wicked man hardens his face;
but as for the upright, he establishes
his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against Yahweh.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of
battle; but victory is with Yahweh.