1 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.
1 The king's H4428 heart H3820 is in the hand H3027 of the LORD, H3068 as the rivers H6388 of water: H4325 he turneth H5186 it whithersoever he will. H2654
2 Every way H1870 of a man H376 is right H3477 in his own eyes: H5869 but the LORD H3068 pondereth H8505 the hearts. H3826
3 To do H6213 justice H6666 and judgment H4941 is more acceptable H977 to the LORD H3068 than sacrifice. H2077
4 An high H7312 look, H5869 and a proud H7342 heart, H3820 and the plowing H5215 of the wicked, H7563 is sin. H2403
5 The thoughts H4284 of the diligent H2742 tend only to plenteousness; H4195 but of every one that is hasty H213 only to want. H4270
6 The getting H6467 of treasures H214 by a lying H8267 tongue H3956 is a vanity H1892 tossed to and fro of H5086 them that seek H1245 death. H4194
7 The robbery H7701 of the wicked H7563 shall destroy H1641 them; because they refuse H3985 to do H6213 judgment. H4941
8 The way H1870 of man H376 is froward H2019 and strange: H2054 but as for the pure, H2134 his work H6467 is right. H3477
9 It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 in a corner H6438 of the housetop, H1406 than with a brawling H4079 H4066 woman H802 in a wide H2267 house. H1004
10 The soul H5315 of the wicked H7563 desireth H183 evil: H7451 his neighbour H7453 findeth no favour H2603 in his eyes. H5869
11 When the scorner H3887 is punished, H6064 the simple H6612 is made wise: H2449 and when the wise H2450 is instructed, H7919 he receiveth H3947 knowledge. H1847
12 The righteous H6662 man wisely considereth H7919 the house H1004 of the wicked: H7563 but God overthroweth H5557 the wicked H7563 for their wickedness. H7451
13 Whoso stoppeth H331 his ears H241 at the cry H2201 of the poor, H1800 he also shall cry H7121 himself, but shall not be heard. H6030
14 A gift H4976 in secret H5643 pacifieth H3711 anger: H639 and a reward H7810 in the bosom H2436 strong H5794 wrath. H2534
15 It is joy H8057 to the just H6662 to do H6213 judgment: H4941 but destruction H4288 shall be to the workers H6466 of iniquity. H205
16 The man H120 that wandereth H8582 out of the way H1870 of understanding H7919 shall remain H5117 in the congregation H6951 of the dead. H7496
17 He that loveth H157 pleasure H8057 shall be a poor H4270 man: H376 he that loveth H157 wine H3196 and oil H8081 shall not be rich. H6238
18 The wicked H7563 shall be a ransom H3724 for the righteous, H6662 and the transgressor H898 for the upright. H3477
19 It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 in the wilderness, H776 H4057 than with a contentious H4079 H4066 and an angry H3708 woman. H802
20 There is treasure H214 to be desired H2530 and oil H8081 in the dwelling H5116 of the wise; H2450 but a foolish H3684 man H120 spendeth it up. H1104
21 He that followeth H7291 after righteousness H6666 and mercy H2617 findeth H4672 life, H2416 righteousness, H6666 and honour. H3519
22 A wise H2450 man scaleth H5927 the city H5892 of the mighty, H1368 and casteth down H3381 the strength H5797 of the confidence H4009 thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth H8104 his mouth H6310 and his tongue H3956 keepeth H8104 his soul H5315 from troubles. H6869
24 Proud H2086 and haughty H3093 scorner H3887 is his name, H8034 who dealeth H6213 in proud H2087 wrath. H5678
25 The desire H8378 of the slothful H6102 killeth H4191 him; for his hands H3027 refuse H3985 to labour. H6213
26 He coveteth H183 greedily H8378 all the day H3117 long: but the righteous H6662 giveth H5414 and spareth H2820 not.
27 The sacrifice H2077 of the wicked H7563 is abomination: H8441 how much more, when he bringeth H935 it with a wicked mind? H2154
28 A false H3577 witness H5707 shall perish: H6 but the man H376 that heareth H8085 speaketh H1696 constantly. H5331
29 A wicked H7563 man H376 hardeneth H5810 his face: H6440 but as for the upright, H3477 he directeth H995 H3559 his way. H1870
30 There is no wisdom H2451 nor understanding H8394 nor counsel H6098 against the LORD. H3068
31 The horse H5483 is prepared H3559 against the day H3117 of battle: H4421 but safety H8668 is of the LORD. H3068
1 The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, `Even' the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent `tend' only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty `hasteth' only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, `How' the wicked are overthrown to `their' ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly 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 is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous `cometh' in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.
1 Rivulets of waters `is' the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
2 Every way of a man `is' right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked `is' sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent `are' only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, `Is' a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Froward `is' the way of a man who is vile, And the pure -- upright `is' his work.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than `with' a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 To do justice `is' joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 Whoso `is' loving mirth `is' a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 The wicked `is' an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than `with' a woman of contentions and anger.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, `Is' in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner `is' his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked `is' abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance `is' of Jehovah!
1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp 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 fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth 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, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
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 they bring it with a wicked purpose!
28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
1 The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; And everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, Because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, But the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom; When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, And brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, He will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; And a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man: He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; The treacherous for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; He works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all the day long; But the righteous give and don't withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness will perish, And a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wicked man hardens his face; But as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Yahweh.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is with Yahweh.
1 The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.
2 Every way of a man seems right to himself, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
3 To do what is right and true is more pleasing to the Lord than an offering.
4 A high look and a heart of pride, *** of the evil-doer is sin.
5 The purposes of the man of industry have their outcome only in wealth; but one who is over-quick in acting will only come to be in need.
6 He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.
7 By their violent acts the evil-doers will be pulled away, because they have no desire to do what is right.
8 Twisted is the way of him who is full of crime; but as for him whose heart is clean, his work is upright.
9 It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
10 The desire of the evil-doer is fixed on evil: he has no kind feeling for his neighbour.
11 When the man of pride undergoes punishment, the simple man gets wisdom; and by watching the wise he gets knowledge.
12 The Upright One, looking on the house of the evil-doer, lets sinners be overturned to their destruction.
13 He whose ears are stopped at the cry of the poor, will himself get no answer to his cry for help.
14 By a secret offering wrath is turned away, and the heat of angry feelings by money in the folds of the robe.
15 It is a joy to the good man to do right, but it is destruction to the workers of evil.
16 The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.
17 The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.
18 The evil-doer will be given as a price for the life of the good man, and the worker of deceit in the place of the upright.
19 It is better to be living in a waste land, than with a bitter-tongued and angry woman.
20 There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.
21 He who goes after righteousness and mercy will get life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man goes up into the town of the strong ones, and overcomes its strength in which they put their faith.
23 He who keeps watch over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The man of pride, lifted up in soul, is named high-hearted; he is acting in an outburst of pride.
25 The desire of the hater of work is death to him, for his hands will do no work.
26 All the day the sinner goes after his desire: but the upright man gives freely, keeping nothing back.
27 The offering of evil-doers is disgusting: how much more when they give it with an evil purpose!
28 A false witness will be cut off, ...
29 The evil-doer makes his face hard, but as for the upright, he gives thought to his way.
30 Wisdom and knowledge and wise suggestions are of no use against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of war, but power to overcome is from the Lord.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 21
Commentary on Proverbs 21 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 21
Pr 21:1-31.
1. rivers—irrigating channels (Ps 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare De 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pr 16:9; Ps 33:15).
2. (Compare Pr 14:2; 16:2-25).
3. (Compare Ps 50:7-15; Isa 1:11, 17).
4. high look—(Compare Margin; Ps 131:1).
proud heart—or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare Ps 101:5).
ploughing—better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity (Pr 20:20); hence joy or delight.
5. The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare Pr 19:2).
6. The getting—or, "what is obtained" (compare Job 7:2; Jer 22:13, Hebrew).
vanity … to and fro—as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare Pr 20:17-21; Ps 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.
them … death—act as if they did (Pr 8:36; 17:19).
7. robbery—or, "destruction," especially oppression, of which they are authors.
shall destroy—literally, "cut with a saw" (1Ki 7:9), that is, utterly ruin them. Their sins shall be visited on them in kind.
to do judgment—what is just and right.
8. of man—any one; his way is opposed to truth, and also estranged from it. The pure proves himself such by his right conduct.
9. corner—a turret or arbor on the roof.
brawling—or contentious.
wide house—literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.
10. So strongly does he desire to do evil (Ps 10:3; Ec 8:11), that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.
11. (Compare Pr 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.
12. (Compare Ps 37:35-38; 73:17, 20).
house—family or interests.
overthroweth—either supply "God" (compare Pr 10:24), or the word is used impersonally.
13. The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Ps 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).
14. The effect of bribery (Pr 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.
15. But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.
16. the way of understanding—(Compare Pr 12:26; 14:22).
remain—that is, rest as at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.
17. Costly luxuries impoverish.
18. (Compare Pr 11:8). By suffering what they had devised for the righteous, or brought on them, the wicked became their ransom, in the usual sense of substitutes (compare Jos 7:26; Es 7:9).
19. (Compare Pr 21:9).
wilderness—pasture, though uninhabitable ground (Ps 65:12).
20. The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools
spend—literally, "swallow it up," greedily.
21. He who tries to act justly and kindly (Ps 34:14) will prosper and obtain justice and honor.
22. "Wisdom is better than strength" (Ec 7:19; 9:15).
strength … thereof—that in which they confide.
23. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).
24. The reproachful name is deserved by those who treat others with anger and contempt.
25. desire—that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.
26. The sin of covetousness marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous.
27. God regards the heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency.
wicked mind—or, "design" (Pr 1:4).
28. (Compare Pr 19:5).
that heareth—or heeds instruction, and so grows wise.
speaketh constantly—or sincerely (compare Hab 1:5), and hence is believed (Pr 12:19; Jas 1:19).
29. hardeneth his face—is obstinate.
directeth … way—considers it, and acts advisedly.
30, 31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Ps 20:7; 33:17).