Proverbs21
New International Version
1 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, 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.
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.
12 The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24 The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28 A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
Study
Proverbs 21Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 21. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
v1
The believer, perceiving that the Lord rules every heart as he sees fit, like the husbandman who turns the water through his grounds as he pleases, seeks to have his own heart, and the hearts of others, directed in his faith, fear, and love.
v2
We are partial in judging ourselves and our actions.
v3
Many deceive themselves with a conceit that outward devotions will excuse unrighteousness.
Key Words
מֶלֶךְ: a king
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
פֶּלֶג: a rill (i.e. small channel of water, as in irrigation)
מַיִם: water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
יָד: a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
נָטָה: to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application
חָפֵץ: properly, to incline to; by implication (literally but rarely) to bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Proverbs 21Poole notes this is repeated from 16:2 for importance because of man's self-deceit.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct thematic parallel: obedience and moral justice are far superior to ritual sacrifice.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel comparison of a contentious woman to dwelling in the wilderness or a rooftop.
Supported by JFB
Parallel proverb detailing how the simple learns wisdom through witnessing the scorner's punishment.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the substitutionary deliverance of the righteous where the wicked comes in his stead.
Supported by JFB
Self-referential parallel highlighting the misery of dwelling with a brawling, angry woman.
Supported by JFB
Explicit thematic link stating that the war-horse is a vain hope for safety.
Supported by JFB
Parallels God's ultimate sovereign direction over a man's heart and steps.
Supported by JFB
Poole cites this to show doing justice and mercy is what God truly requires.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Prophetic parallel confirming that God desires mercy and knowledge over burnt offerings.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illustrates the 'lamp' (translated plowing) as a metaphor for the wicked's prosperity.
Supported by JFB
Parallel highlighting that wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts trusting in military horses and chariots with trusting in the Lord's safety.
Supported by JFB
Illuminates how a secret bribe or gift in the bosom influences judgment.
Supported by JFB
Illustrates that the battle is not always to the strong; ultimate safety belongs to God.
Supported by Matthew Henry