Proverbs 21
King James Version
21 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.
Proverbs 21
1599 Geneva Bible
21 1 The [a]King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of waters: he turneth it whithersoever it pleaseth him.
2 Every (A)way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 (B)To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart which is the [b][c]light of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent do surely bring abundance; but [d]whosoever is hasty, cometh surely to poverty.
6 (C)The gathering of treasures by a deceitful tongue, is vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The [e]robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; for they have refused to execute judgment.
8 The way of some is perverted and strange, but of the pure man, his work is right.
9 (D)It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, than with a contentious woman in a [f]wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked wisheth evil, and his neighbor hath no favor in his eyes.
11 [g]When the scorner is punished, the foolish is wise, and when one instructeth the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous [h]teacheth the house of the wicked; but God overthroweth the wicked for their evil.
13 He that stoppeth his ear at the crying of the poor, he shall also cry and not be heard.
14 A [i]gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a gift in the bosom, great wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment; but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom, shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pastime, shall be a poor man; and he that loveth wine and oil, shall not be rich.
18 The [j]wicked shall be a ransom for the just, and the transgressor for the righteous.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and [k]oil; but a foolish man devoureth it.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy, shall find life, righteousness and glory.
22 A [l]wise man goeth up into the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from afflictions.
24 Proud, haughty, and scornful is his name that worketh in his arrogancy wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful [m]slayeth him; for his hands refuse to work.
26 He coveteth evermore greedily: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The (E)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 (F)A false witness shall perish: but he that heareth, [n]speaketh continually.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but the just, he will direct his way.
30 There is no wisdom, neither understanding, nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but salvation is of the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:1 Though Kings seem to have all things at commandment, yet are they not able to bring their own purposes to pass any otherwise than God hath appointed: much less are the inferiors able.
- Proverbs 21:4 Or, plowing.
- Proverbs 21:4 That is, the thing whereby he is guided or which he bringeth forth as the fruit of his work.
- Proverbs 21:5 He that goeth rashly about his business, and without counsel.
- Proverbs 21:7 He meaneth this chiefly of Judges, and Princes which leave that vocation, whereunto God hath called them, and powle their subjects to maintain their lusts.
- Proverbs 21:9 Or, in a great family.
- Proverbs 21:11 Read Prov. 19:25.
- Proverbs 21:12 Though the godly admonish them both by words and example of life, yet the wicked will not amend, till God destroy them.
- Proverbs 21:14 To do a pleasure to the angry man pacifieth him.
- Proverbs 21:18 God shall cause that to fall on their own heads, which they intended against the just by delivering the just, and putting the wicked in their places.
- Proverbs 21:20 Meaning, abundance of all things.
- Proverbs 21:22 Wisdom overcometh strength and confidence in worldly things.
- Proverbs 21:25 He thinketh to live by wishing and desiring all things, but will take no pain to get ought.
- Proverbs 21:28 He may boldly testify the truth that he hath heard.
Geneva Bible, 1599 Edition. Published by Tolle Lege Press. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles, reviews, and broadcasts.
