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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=1.0; maximum-scale=1.0; user-scalable=0;"/><title>Proverbs 21 ISV</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" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="../topmenuchap/proverbs/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="http://biblehub.com">Bible</a> > <a href="../">ISV</a> > Proverbs 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a 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">International Standard Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/isv/esv/proverbs/21.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="heading">Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God</p><p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>A king’s heart is a water stream that the LORD controls;</p> <p class="poetry2">he directs it wherever he pleases.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>Every man’s lifestyle is proper in his own view,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the LORD weighs the heart.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>To do what is right and just</p> <p class="poetry2">is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.</p> <p class="reg"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>A proud attitude,<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:4 Lit. heart">a</a></span> accompanied by<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:4 Lit. proud heart and">b</a></span> a haughty look, is sin; </p> <p class="poetry2">they reveal<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:4 Lit. sin; the lamp of">c</a></span> wicked people.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity,</p> <p class="poetry2">but all who are hasty will surely become poor.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>A fortune gained by deceit<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:6 Lit. by a lying tongue">d</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry2">is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:6 So MT; LXX reads is pursuing worthlessness into deadly snares">e</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away</p> <p class="poetry2">because they refuse to do what is just.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The conduct<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:8 Lit. way">f</a></span> of a guilty man is perverse,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the behavior of the pure is upright.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>It’s better to live in a corner on the roof</p> <p class="poetry2">than to share a house with a contentious woman.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>The soul of the wicked craves evil;</p> <p class="poetry2">he extends no mercy to his neighbor.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom;</p> <p class="poetry2">but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>The righteous God<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:12 The Heb. lacks God">g</a></span> considers the house of the wicked,</p> <p class="poetry2">bringing the wicked to ruin.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor</p> <p class="poetry2">will also cry himself, but he won’t be answered.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>Privately given gifts pacify wrath,</p> <p class="poetry2">and payments made secretly<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:14 Lit. made under the cloak">h</a></span> appease<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:14 The Heb. lacks appease">i</a></span> great anger.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Administering justice brings joy to the righteous,</p> <p class="poetry2">but terror to those who practice iniquity.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Whoever wanders from the path of understanding</p> <p class="poetry2">will end up where the dead<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:16 Lit. the departed spirits">j</a></span> are gathered.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Pleasure lovers become poor;</p> <p class="poetry2">loving wine and oil doesn’t bring riches.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>The wicked are ransom for the righteous,</p> <p class="poetry2">and the unfaithful for the upright.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>It’s better to live in the wilderness</p> <p class="poetry2">than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Precious treasures and oil are found<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:20 So MT; LXX reads A desirable treasure will rest">k</a></span> where the wise live,</p> <p class="poetry2">but a foolish man devours them.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love</p> <p class="poetry2">finds life, righteousness, and honor.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>A wise man attacks the city of the mighty,</p> <p class="poetry2">bringing down the fortress in which they trust.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Whoever watches his mouth and tongue</p> <p class="poetry2">keeps himself from trouble.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>The names “Proud,” “Arrogant,” and “Mocker”</p> <p class="poetry2">fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>What the lazy person craves will kill him,</p> <p class="poetry2">because his hands refuse to work.</p> <p class="poetry1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>All day long he continues to crave,</p> <p class="poetry2">while the righteous person gives without holding back.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable—</p> <p class="poetry2">how much more when he offers it with vile motives!</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>A false witness will perish,</p> <p class="poetry2">but whoever listens will testify successfully.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:28 Lit. testify forever">l</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>The wicked man puts up a bold appearance,</p> <p class="poetry2">but the upright thinks about what he is doing.<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:29 Lit. about his ways">m</a></span> </p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>No wisdom, insight, or counsel</p> <p class="poetry2">can prevail<span class="fn"><a href="#ftn" title="21:30 The Heb. lacks can prevail">n</a></span> against the LORD.</p> <p class="poetry1 margintop"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/21-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>The horse may be prepared for the day of battle,</p> <p class="poetry2">but to the LORD goes the victory.</p><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="ftn"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="fn1"><span class="fnb">a</span> 21:4 Lit. <i>heart</i><br /><span class="fnb">b</span> 21:4 Lit. <i>proud heart and</i><br /><span class="fnb">c</span> 21:4 Lit. <i>sin; the lamp of</i><br /><span class="fnb">d</span> 21:6 Lit. <i>by a lying tongue</i><br /><span class="fnb">e</span> 21:6 So MT; LXX reads <i>is pursuing worthlessness into deadly snares</i><br /><span class="fnb">f</span> 21:8 Lit. <i>way</i><br /><span class="fnb">g</span> 21:12 The Heb. lacks <i>God</i><br /><span class="fnb">h</span> 21:14 Lit. <i>made under the cloak</i><br /><span class="fnb">i</span> 21:14 The Heb. lacks <i>appease</i><br /><span class="fnb">j</span> 21:16 Lit. <i>the departed spirits</i><br /><span class="fnb">k</span> 21:20 So MT; LXX reads <i>A desirable treasure will rest</i><br /><span class="fnb">l</span> 21:28 Lit. <i>testify forever</i><br /><span class="fnb">m</span> 21:29 Lit. <i>about his ways</i><br /><span class="fnb">n</span> 21:30 The Heb. lacks <i>can prevail</i><br /></span><br><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><div align="center"><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1<br />Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation<br />ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/">Bible Hub</a></div></div></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="../proverbs/20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="../proverbs/22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 22" /></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></td></tr></table></div><div id="rightbox"><div class="padright"><div id="pic"><iframe width="100%" height="860" scrolling="no" src="//biblescan.com/mpc/proverbs/21-1.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></div></div><div id="rightbox4"><div class="padright2"><div id="spons1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tr><td class="sp1"><iframe width="122" height="860" scrolling="no" src="../sidemenu.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="bot"><div align="center" style="background-color:#F2FAFF"><br /><br /><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>  <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="6710025936" data-ad-format="auto"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); 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