Proverbs21
World English Bible · Public Domain
1The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 21.
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