Proverbs 21 – search, read, and compare multiple versions of the Bible
World English Bible Classic
[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 departed spirits.
[17] He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
He who loves wine and oil won’t 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 arrogant 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 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.
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.
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 departed spirits.
[17] He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
He who loves wine and oil won’t 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 arrogant 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 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.
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.
King James Version
[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 (HiphImpf) it whithersoever he will. H2654 (QalImpf)
[2] Every way H1870 of a man H376 is right H3477 in his own eyes: H5869
But the Lord H3068 pondereth H8505 (QalActPtc) the hearts. H3826
[3] To do H6213 (QalInf) justice H6666 and judgment H4941
Is more acceptable H977 (NiphPtc) 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 (QalPtc) 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 (NiphPtc) them that seek H1245 (PielPtc) death. H4194
[7] The robbery H7701 of the wicked H7563 shall destroy H1641 (QalImpf) them;§
Because they refuse H3985 (PielPerf) to do H6213 (QalInf) 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 (QalInf) in a corner H6438 of the housetop, H1406
Than with a brawling H4079 (Qere) woman H802§ in a wide H2267 house. H1004§
[10] The soul H5315 of the wicked H7563 desireth H183 (PielPerf) evil: H7451
His neighbour H7453 findeth no favour H2603 (HophPerf) in his eyes. H5869
[11] When the scorner H3887 (QalPtc) is punished, H6064 (QalInf) the simple H6612 is made wise: H2449 (QalImpf)
And when the wise H2450 is instructed, H7919 (HiphInf) he receiveth H3947 (QalImpf) knowledge. H1847
[12] The righteous H6662 man wisely considereth H7919 (HiphPtc) the house H1004 of the wicked: H7563
But God overthroweth H5557 (PielPtc) the wicked H7563 for their wickedness. H7451
[13] Whoso stoppeth H331 (QalPtc) his ears H241 at the cry H2201 of the poor, H1800
He also shall cry H7121 (QalImpf) himself, but shall not be heard. H6030 (NiphImpf)
[14] A gift H4976 in secret H5643 pacifieth H3711 (QalImpf) 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 (QalInf) judgment: H4941
But destruction H4288 shall be to the workers H6466 (QalActPtc) of iniquity. H205
[16] The man H120 that wandereth H8582 (QalActPtc) out of the way H1870 of understanding H7919 (HiphInf)
Shall remain H5117 (QalImpf) in the congregation H6951 of the dead. H7496
[17] He that loveth H157 (QalActPtc) pleasure H8057§ shall be a poor H4270 man: H376
He that loveth H157 (QalActPtc) wine H3196 and oil H8081 shall not be rich. H6238 (HiphImpf)
[18] The wicked H7563 shall be a ransom H3724 for the righteous, H6662
And the transgressor H898 (QalActPtc) for the upright. H3477
[19] It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 (QalInf) in the wilderness, H776§
Than with a contentious H4079 (Qere) and an angry H3708 woman. H802
[20] There is treasure H214 to be desired H2530 (NiphPtc) and oil H8081 in the dwelling H5116 of the wise; H2450
But a foolish H3684 man H120 spendeth it up. H1104 (PielImpf)
[21] He that followeth H7291 (QalActPtc) after righteousness H6666 and mercy H2617
Findeth H4672 (QalImpf) life, H2416 righteousness, H6666 and honour. H3519
[22] A wise H2450 man scaleth H5927 (QalPerf) the city H5892 of the mighty, H1368
And casteth down H3381 (HiphImpf) the strength H5797 of the confidence H4009 thereof.
[23] Whoso keepeth H8104 (QalActPtc) his mouth H6310 and his tongue H3956
Keepeth H8104 (QalActPtc) his soul H5315 from troubles. H6869
[24] Proud H2086 and haughty H3093 scorner H3887 (QalPtc) is his name, H8034
Who dealeth H6213 (QalActPtc) in proud H2087 wrath. H5678§
[25] The desire H8378 of the slothful H6102 killeth H4191 (HiphImpf) him;
For his hands H3027 refuse H3985 (PielPerf) to labour. H6213 (QalInf)
[26] He coveteth H183 (HithPerf) greedily H8378 all the day H3117 long:
But the righteous H6662 giveth H5414 (QalImpf) and spareth H2820 (QalImpf) not.
[27] The sacrifice H2077 of the wicked H7563 is abomination: H8441
How much more, when he bringeth H935 (HiphImpf) it with a wicked mind? H2154§
[28] A false H3577 witness H5707§ shall perish: H6 (QalImpf)
But the man H376 that heareth H8085 (QalActPtc) speaketh H1696 (PielImpf) constantly. H5331
[29] A wicked H7563 man H376 hardeneth H5810 (HiphPerf) his face: H6440
But as for the upright, H3477 he directeth H995 (QalImpf/Qere)§ 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 (HophPtc) against the day H3117 of battle: H4421
But safety H8668§ is of the Lord. H3068
As the rivers H6388 of water: H4325 he turneth H5186 (HiphImpf) it whithersoever he will. H2654 (QalImpf)
[2] Every way H1870 of a man H376 is right H3477 in his own eyes: H5869
But the Lord H3068 pondereth H8505 (QalActPtc) the hearts. H3826
[3] To do H6213 (QalInf) justice H6666 and judgment H4941
Is more acceptable H977 (NiphPtc) 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 (QalPtc) 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 (NiphPtc) them that seek H1245 (PielPtc) death. H4194
[7] The robbery H7701 of the wicked H7563 shall destroy H1641 (QalImpf) them;§
Because they refuse H3985 (PielPerf) to do H6213 (QalInf) 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 (QalInf) in a corner H6438 of the housetop, H1406
Than with a brawling H4079 (Qere) woman H802§ in a wide H2267 house. H1004§
[10] The soul H5315 of the wicked H7563 desireth H183 (PielPerf) evil: H7451
His neighbour H7453 findeth no favour H2603 (HophPerf) in his eyes. H5869
[11] When the scorner H3887 (QalPtc) is punished, H6064 (QalInf) the simple H6612 is made wise: H2449 (QalImpf)
And when the wise H2450 is instructed, H7919 (HiphInf) he receiveth H3947 (QalImpf) knowledge. H1847
[12] The righteous H6662 man wisely considereth H7919 (HiphPtc) the house H1004 of the wicked: H7563
But God overthroweth H5557 (PielPtc) the wicked H7563 for their wickedness. H7451
[13] Whoso stoppeth H331 (QalPtc) his ears H241 at the cry H2201 of the poor, H1800
He also shall cry H7121 (QalImpf) himself, but shall not be heard. H6030 (NiphImpf)
[14] A gift H4976 in secret H5643 pacifieth H3711 (QalImpf) 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 (QalInf) judgment: H4941
But destruction H4288 shall be to the workers H6466 (QalActPtc) of iniquity. H205
[16] The man H120 that wandereth H8582 (QalActPtc) out of the way H1870 of understanding H7919 (HiphInf)
Shall remain H5117 (QalImpf) in the congregation H6951 of the dead. H7496
[17] He that loveth H157 (QalActPtc) pleasure H8057§ shall be a poor H4270 man: H376
He that loveth H157 (QalActPtc) wine H3196 and oil H8081 shall not be rich. H6238 (HiphImpf)
[18] The wicked H7563 shall be a ransom H3724 for the righteous, H6662
And the transgressor H898 (QalActPtc) for the upright. H3477
[19] It is better H2896 to dwell H3427 (QalInf) in the wilderness, H776§
Than with a contentious H4079 (Qere) and an angry H3708 woman. H802
[20] There is treasure H214 to be desired H2530 (NiphPtc) and oil H8081 in the dwelling H5116 of the wise; H2450
But a foolish H3684 man H120 spendeth it up. H1104 (PielImpf)
[21] He that followeth H7291 (QalActPtc) after righteousness H6666 and mercy H2617
Findeth H4672 (QalImpf) life, H2416 righteousness, H6666 and honour. H3519
[22] A wise H2450 man scaleth H5927 (QalPerf) the city H5892 of the mighty, H1368
And casteth down H3381 (HiphImpf) the strength H5797 of the confidence H4009 thereof.
[23] Whoso keepeth H8104 (QalActPtc) his mouth H6310 and his tongue H3956
Keepeth H8104 (QalActPtc) his soul H5315 from troubles. H6869
[24] Proud H2086 and haughty H3093 scorner H3887 (QalPtc) is his name, H8034
Who dealeth H6213 (QalActPtc) in proud H2087 wrath. H5678§
[25] The desire H8378 of the slothful H6102 killeth H4191 (HiphImpf) him;
For his hands H3027 refuse H3985 (PielPerf) to labour. H6213 (QalInf)
[26] He coveteth H183 (HithPerf) greedily H8378 all the day H3117 long:
But the righteous H6662 giveth H5414 (QalImpf) and spareth H2820 (QalImpf) not.
[27] The sacrifice H2077 of the wicked H7563 is abomination: H8441
How much more, when he bringeth H935 (HiphImpf) it with a wicked mind? H2154§
[28] A false H3577 witness H5707§ shall perish: H6 (QalImpf)
But the man H376 that heareth H8085 (QalActPtc) speaketh H1696 (PielImpf) constantly. H5331
[29] A wicked H7563 man H376 hardeneth H5810 (HiphPerf) his face: H6440
But as for the upright, H3477 he directeth H995 (QalImpf/Qere)§ 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 (HophPtc) against the day H3117 of battle: H4421
But safety H8668§ is of the Lord. H3068
Footnotes
- § 21:4a Heb. haughtiness of eyes
- § 21:4b Or, the light of the wicked
- § 21:7 Heb. saw them, or, dwell with them
- § 21:9a Heb. a woman of contentions
- § 21:9b Heb. an house of society
- § 21:17 Or, sport
- § 21:19 Heb. in the land of the desert
- § 21:24 Heb. in the wrath of pride
- § 21:27 Heb. in wickedness
- § 21:28 Heb. a witness of lies
- § 21:29 Or, considereth
- § 21:31 Or, victory
Byzantine Greek New Testament
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