Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21

New King James Version (NKJV)

21 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^[a] 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.^[b]

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

⁸ The way of a guilty man is perverse;^[d]
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,^[e] 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^[f] his way.

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

³¹ The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the Lord.