Proverbs 21
BSB

Proverbs

The King’s Heart

Psalm 21:1–13

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.+ 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.+ 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.+ 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked— are sin.+ 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.+ 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.+ 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.+ 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.+ 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.+ 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.+ 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.+ 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.+ 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.+ 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.+ 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.+ 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.+ 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.+ 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.+ 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.+ 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.+ 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.+ 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.+ 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.+ 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man — of him who acts with excessive pride.+ 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.+ 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.+ 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!+ 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.+ 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.+ 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.+ 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.+
Footnotes (3)
  1. a 21:12 Or The righteous one
  2. b 21:14 Hebrew a bribe in the bosom
  3. c 21:29 Or puts up a bold front

Berean Standard Bible

Study Proverbs 21

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