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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 21 ESV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" 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href="../proverbs/20.htm" title="Proverbs 20">◄</a> Proverbs 21 <a href="../proverbs/22.htm" title="Proverbs 22">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">English Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/esv/nas/proverbs/21.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div></a><div class="chap"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span>;</span><br /><span class="indent">he turns it wherever he will.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,</span><br /><span class="indent">but the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> weighs the heart.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">To do righteousness and justice</span><br /><span class="indent">is more acceptable to the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span> than sacrifice.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Haughty eyes and a proud heart,</span><br /><span class="indent">the lamp<span class="footnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or the plowing">a</a></sup></span> of the wicked, are sin.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,</span><br /><span class="indent">but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The getting of treasures by a lying tongue</span><br /><span class="indent">is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.<span class="footnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death">b</a></sup></span></span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,</span><br /><span class="indent">because they refuse to do what is just.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The way of the guilty is crooked,</span><br /><span class="indent">but the conduct of the pure is upright.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">It is better to live in a corner of the housetop</span><br /><span class="indent">than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The soul of the wicked desires evil;</span><br /><span class="indent">his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;</span><br /><span class="indent">when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;</span><br /><span class="indent">he throws the wicked down to ruin.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor</span><br /><span class="indent">will himself call out and not be answered.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">A gift in secret averts anger,</span><br /><span class="indent">and a concealed bribe,<span class="footnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew a bribe in the bosom">c</a></sup></span> strong wrath.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous</span><br /><span class="indent">but terror to evildoers.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">One who wanders from the way of good sense</span><br /><span class="indent">will rest in the assembly of the dead.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;</span><br /><span class="indent">he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,</span><br /><span class="indent">and the traitor for the upright.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">It is better to live in a desert land</span><br /><span class="indent">than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling,</span><br /><span class="indent">but a foolish man devours it.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness</span><br /><span class="indent">will find life, righteousness, and honor.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">A wise man scales the city of the mighty</span><br /><span class="indent">and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue</span><br /><span class="indent">keeps himself out of trouble.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man</span><br /><span class="indent">who acts with arrogant pride.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The desire of the sluggard kills him,</span><br /><span class="indent">for his hands refuse to labor.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">All day long he craves and craves,</span><br /><span class="indent">but the righteous gives and does not hold back.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;</span><br /><span class="indent">how much more when he brings it with evil intent.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">A false witness will perish,</span><br /><span class="indent">but the word of a man who hears will endure.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">A wicked man puts on a bold face,</span><br /><span class="indent">but the upright gives thought to<span class="footnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or establishes">d</a></sup></span> his ways.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel</span><br /><span class="indent">can avail against the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span>.</span><br /> <span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span><span class="ln-group">The horse is made ready for the day of battle,</span><br /><span class="indent">but the victory belongs to the <span class="divine-name">Lord</span>.</span><br /><A name="footnotes"></a><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="footnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">4</span> Or <i><span class="catch-word">the</span> plowing</i><br /><span class="footnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">6</span> Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Latin; most Hebrew manuscripts <i><span class="catch-word">vapor</span> for those who seek death</i><br /><span class="footnotesbot">c</span> <span class="fnverse">14</span> Hebrew <i><span class="catch-word">a</span> bribe in the bosom</i><br /><span class="footnotesbot">d</span> <span class="fnverse">29</span> Or <i>establishes</i><br /></span></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">ESV Text Edition® (2016).<br /><br />The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by <a href="http://www.crossway.org/home/esv/">Crossway Bibles</a>, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. 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