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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</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/bsb/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="/bmc//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="/proverbs/">Proverbs</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 align="center" id="jump2"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">NIV</a> • <a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">NLT</a> • <a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">ESV</a> • <a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">KJV</a> • <a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">NKJ</a> • <a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NAS</a></div><br /><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="1%" valign="top">BSB</td><td width="99%" valign="top" align="right"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21.htm" style="font-weight:normal" title="Parallel Chapters">Parallel Chapters ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><A name="2"></a><p class="hdg">The King’s Heart<br /><span class="cross">(<a href ="../psalms/21.htm">Psalm 21:1–13</a>)</span><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; <p class="indent2"> He directs it where He pleases. <A name="3"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>All a man’s ways seem right to him, <p class="indent2"> but the LORD weighs the heart. <A name="4"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>To do righteousness and justice <p class="indent2"> is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <A name="5"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Haughty eyes and a proud heart—<p class="indent2"> the guides of the wicked—are sin. <A name="6"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>The plans of the diligent bring plenty, <p class="indent2"> as surely as haste leads to poverty. <A name="7"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>Making a fortune by a lying tongue <p class="indent2"> is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. <A name="8"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>The violence of the wicked will sweep them away <p class="indent2"> because they refuse to do what is just. <A name="9"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>The way of a guilty man is crooked, <p class="indent2"> but the conduct of the innocent is upright. <A name="10"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Better to live on a corner of the roof <p class="indent2"> than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. <A name="11"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>The soul of the wicked man craves evil; <p class="indent2"> his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. <A name="12"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; <p class="indent2"> and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. <A name="13"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>The Righteous One<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">a</a></span> considers the house of the wicked <p class="indent2"> and brings the wicked to ruin. <A name="14"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, <p class="indent2"> he too shall cry out and receive no answer. <A name="15"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>A gift in secret soothes anger, <p class="indent2"> and a covert bribe<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">b</a></span> pacifies great wrath. <A name="16"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, <p class="indent2"> but a terror to the workers of iniquity. <A name="17"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>The man who strays from the path of understanding <p class="indent2"> will rest in the assembly of the dead. <A name="18"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>He who loves pleasure will become poor; <p class="indent2"> the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. <A name="19"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, <p class="indent2"> and the faithless for the upright. <A name="20"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>Better to live in the desert <p class="indent2"> than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. <A name="21"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, <p class="indent2"> but a foolish man consumes them. <A name="22"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion <p class="indent2"> finds life, righteousness, and honor. <A name="23"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>A wise man scales the city of the mighty <p class="indent2"> and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. <A name="24"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>He who guards his mouth and tongue <p class="indent2"> keeps his soul from distress. <A name="25"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—<p class="indent2"> of him who acts with excessive pride. <A name="26"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>The craving of the slacker kills him <p class="indent2"> because his hands refuse to work. <A name="27"></a><p class="indent1"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>All day long he covets more, <p class="indent2"> but the righteous give without restraint. <A name="28"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—<p class="indent2"> how much more so when brought with ill intent! <A name="29"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>A lying witness will perish, <p class="indent2"> but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. <A name="30"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>A wicked man hardens his face,<span class="fn"><a href="#fn">c</a></span> <p class="indent2"> but the upright man makes his way sure. <A name="31"></a><p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel <p class="indent2"> that can prevail against the LORD. <p class="indent1stline"><span class="reftext"><a href="/proverbs/21-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>A horse is prepared for the day of battle, <p class="indent2"> but victory is of the LORD.</p><A name="fn"></a><div id="fnlink"><br /><br /><b>Footnotes:</b><br><br><span class="fnverse">12</span> <span class="footnotesbot">a</span> Or <i>The righteous one</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><span class="fnverse">14</span> <span class="footnotesbot">b</span> Hebrew <i>a bribe in the bosom</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><span class="fnverse">29</span> <span class="footnotesbot">c</span> Or <i>puts up a bold front</i><span class="thin"> </span><br><br /></div><br /></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center">The Berean Bible (<a href=http://berean.bible>www.Berean.Bible</a>) <a href=http://bereanbible.com>Berean Study Bible (BSB)</a> © 2016, 2020 by <a href=http://biblehub.com>Bible Hub</a> and <a href=http://berean.bible>Berean.Bible</a>. 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