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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man hardeneth his face: but <i>as for</i> the upright, he directeth his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A wicked man hardens his face, But <i>as for</i> the upright, he establishes his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked person displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A wicked man shows a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A wicked man displays a brazen face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man puts on a bold face, But as for the upright, he considers, directs, <i>and</i> establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Wicked people bluff their way, but God's people think before they take a step. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A wicked person puts up a bold front, but a decent person's way of life is his own security.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Righteous people are sure of themselves; the wicked have to pretend as best they can. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A wicked man has hardened by his face, "" And the upright—he prepares his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright -- he prepareth his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />An unjust man strengthened with his face: and the upright he will prepare his ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The face of the wicked hardens, but the upright maintains a straight course. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright give thought to their ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The face of a wicked man is shameless; but he who is upright amends his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The face of an evil man is shameless, and he who is upright establishes the ways of his soul.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-29.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4355" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">28</span>A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. <span class="reftext">29</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rā·šā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">A wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/5810.htm" title="5810: hê·‘êz (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- To be strong. A primitive root; to be stout.">hardens</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: bə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-b:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">his face,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3477.htm" title="3477: wə·yā·šār (Conj-w:: Adj-ms) -- Straight, right. From yashar; straight.">but the upright man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: yå̄·ḵīn (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">makes</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: də·rå̄·ḵå̄w (N-csc:: 3ms) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">his way sure.</a> </span><span class="reftext">30</span>There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-4.htm">Psalm 10:4</a></span><br />In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Isaiah 3:9</a></span><br />The expression on their faces testifies against them, and like Sodom they flaunt their sin; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster upon themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/3-3.htm">Jeremiah 3:3</a></span><br />Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/3-7.htm">Ezekiel 3:7</a></span><br />But the house of Israel will be unwilling to listen to you, since they are unwilling to listen to Me. For the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Zephaniah 3:5</a></span><br />The LORD within her is righteous; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the unjust know no shame.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-28.htm">Matthew 23:28</a></span><br />In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-39.htm">Luke 11:39</a></span><br />Then the Lord said, “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-5.htm">Romans 2:5</a></span><br />But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-8.htm">Romans 2:8</a></span><br />But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow wickedness, there will be wrath and anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a></span><br />For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19-21</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a></span><br />They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/3-18.htm">Philippians 3:18-19</a></span><br />For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. / Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/4-2.htm">1 Timothy 4:2</a></span><br />influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way.</p><p class="hdg">hardeneth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Proverbs 28:14</a></b></br> Happy <i>is</i> the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/29-1.htm">Proverbs 29:1</a></b></br> He, that being often reproved hardeneth <i>his</i> neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/3-2.htm">Jeremiah 3:2,3</a></b></br> Lift up thine eyes unto the high places, and see where thou hast not been lien with. In the ways hast thou sat for them, as the Arabian in the wilderness; and thou hast polluted the land with thy whoredoms and with thy wickedness… </p><p class="hdg">he directeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/11-5.htm">Proverbs 11:5</a></b></br> The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/119-59.htm">Psalm 119:59</a></b></br> I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/18-28.htm">Ezekiel 18:28</a></b></br> Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/138-3.htm">Bold</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm">Considers</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Directeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-29.htm">Displays</a> <a href="/psalms/65-6.htm">Establishes</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Establisheth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-18.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-6.htm">Face</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-3.htm">Front</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-26.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-19.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-13.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-13.htm">Hardeneth</a> <a href="/job/38-38.htm">Hardens</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-16.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/psalms/147-8.htm">Prepareth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-5.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-25.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-26.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/28-1.htm">Bold</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-16.htm">Considers</a> <a href="/job/37-3.htm">Directeth</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/12-12.htm">Displays</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-4.htm">Establishes</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-3.htm">Establisheth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-2.htm">Face</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-12.htm">Front</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-9.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-31.htm">Hardened</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Hardeneth</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-14.htm">Hardens</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-5.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-7.htm">Prepareth</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-26.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-23.htm">Sure</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-17.htm">Thought</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-24.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-15.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>A wicked man hardens his face</b><br>This phrase suggests a deliberate and stubborn resistance to correction or change. In biblical context, the "face" often symbolizes one's attitude or disposition. A hardened face indicates a refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing or to repent. This imagery is consistent with other scriptures, such as <a href="/isaiah/48-4.htm">Isaiah 48:4</a>, which speaks of Israel's obstinacy: "Because I know that you are obstinate, and your neck is an iron sinew and your forehead brass." The hardening of one's face can also be seen as a metaphor for pride and defiance against God, similar to Pharaoh's hardened heart in Exodus. Culturally, in ancient Near Eastern societies, facial expressions were significant indicators of one's inner state, and a hardened face would be perceived as a sign of rebellion or defiance.<p><b>but the upright man makes his way sure</b><br>In contrast, the upright man is characterized by integrity and righteousness. The phrase "makes his way sure" implies careful consideration and a commitment to walking in accordance with God's will. This aligns with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the path of righteousness, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." The upright man's way is secure because it is founded on divine guidance and moral principles. This reflects the biblical theme of the righteous being blessed and protected by God, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1-6.htm">Psalm 1:6</a>: "For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction." The upright man's life is a type of Christ, who is the ultimate example of righteousness and whose path was ordained by God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/wicked_man.htm">Wicked Man</a></b><br>Represents those who are morally corrupt or evil, often characterized by stubbornness and defiance against righteousness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/u/upright_man.htm">Upright Man</a></b><br>Symbolizes individuals who live in accordance with God's laws, demonstrating integrity and righteousness in their actions.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_wickedness.htm">The Nature of Wickedness</a></b><br>The hardening of the face signifies a deliberate choice to resist correction and persist in sin. This reflects a heart that is closed to God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_path_of_the_upright.htm">The Path of the Upright</a></b><br>The upright man seeks to make his way sure, indicating a life of intentionality and alignment with God's will. This involves seeking wisdom and understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/moral_integrity.htm">Moral Integrity</a></b><br>Living uprightly requires a commitment to truth and righteousness, even when faced with challenges or opposition.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_choices.htm">The Consequences of Choices</a></b><br>The proverb highlights the outcomes of our moral choices—stubbornness leads to downfall, while righteousness leads to stability and assurance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>The upright man’s sure path is a result of seeking and following divine guidance, emphasizing the importance of prayer and scripture in decision-making.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_temptation_has_overtaken_you.htm">Why are the wicked's prayers considered an abomination?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_the_righteous_suffer_harm.htm">How does Proverbs 12:21, declaring no harm befalls the righteous, hold up when many faithful people throughout biblical and modern times have endured great suffering and tragedy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_history_show_'righteous'_leaders_fail.htm">Proverbs 29:2 says people rejoice under righteous rulers; how does that hold up against historical instances where 'righteous' leaders failed to foster joy?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_unjust_people_live_without_fear.htm">Proverbs 21:15: If justice truly terrifies evildoers, why do we see so many unjust individuals living without apparent fear or consequences?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(29) <span class= "bld">A wicked man hardeneth his face.--</span>Is insensible to rebuke, and will not confess himself in the wrong, but "the upright directeth his way," as God would have him, or, as the margin implies, "looks well" to it, sees that it is in accordance with His commandments.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 29.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A wicked man hardeneth his face;</span> is shameless (as <a href="/proverbs/7-13.htm">Proverbs 7:13</a>), and is insensible to rebuke or any soft feeling. This obduracy he shows with his countenance. Septuagint, "An ungodly man shamelessly withstands with his face." <span class="cmt_word">But as for the upright, he directeth his way.</span> He gives it the right direction (<a href="/2_chronicles/27-6.htm">2 Chronicles 27:6</a>). This is the reading of the Khetib, <span class="hebrew">יָכִין</span> but, though generally adopted by the versions (except the Septuagint), it does not make a suitable antithesis to the rash stubbornness of the wicked. Hence modern commentators prefer the reading of the Keri, <span class="hebrew">יָבִין</span>, "he considereth, proveth," his way; he acts only after due thought, giving proper weight to all circumstance. Septuagint, "But the upright man himself understands (<span class="greek">συνιεῖ</span>) his ways." The contrast lies in the audacious self-confidence of the unprincipled man, and the calm circumspection and prudence of the saint. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-29.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">A wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רָשָׁ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hardens</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵעֵ֬ז</span> <span class="translit">(hê·‘êz)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5810.htm">Strong's 5810: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be strong</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his face,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּפָנָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(bə·p̄ā·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but the upright [man]</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝יָשָׁ֗ר</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yā·šār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3477.htm">Strong's 3477: </a> </span><span class="str2">Straight, right</span><br /><br /><span class="word">makes</span><br /><span class="heb">יָבִ֬ין</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḇîn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his way {sure}.</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכּֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(dar·kōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-29.htm">Proverbs 21:29 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-29.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:29 A wicked man hardens his face (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-28.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:28"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:28" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:30"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:30" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>