Proverbs Chapter 21

From The Open Bible Project

21:1 The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

• (a) Though kings seem to have all things at commandment, they are not able to bring their own purposes to pass unless God has appointed: much less are the inferiors able.

21:2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

21:3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

21:4 A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

• (b) That is, the thing by which he is guided or which he brings forth as the fruit of his work.

21:5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

• (c) He who goes rashly about his business and without counsel.

21:6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

21:7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

• (d) He means this chiefly of judges and princes who leave that calling, to which God has called them, and impoverish their subjects to maintain their lusts.

21:8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.

21:10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

21:11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

• (e) Read (Proverbs 19:25).

21:12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

• (f) Though the godly admonish them both by words and example of life, yet the wicked will not amend, till God destroys them.

21:13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

21:14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

• (g) To do a pleasure to the angry man pacifies him.

21:15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

21:16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

21:17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

21:18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.

• (h) God will 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.

21:19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.

• (i) Meaning, abundance of all things.

21:21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21:22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

• (k) Wisdom overcomes strength and confidence in worldly things.

21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

21:24 The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.

21:25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

• (l) He thinks to live by wishing and desiring all things, but will make no effort to get anything.

21:26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don't withhold.

21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

21:28 A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.

• (m) He may boldly testify the truth that he has heard.

21:29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

21:31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.