Proverbs
Chapter 21Berean Standard Bible
King James Version
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart - the guides of the wicked - are sin.
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man - of him who acts with excessive pride.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable - how much more so when brought with ill intent!
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible and King James Version. Words of Jesus in gold; words the KJV translators added are in italics. Tap a verse number to copy, share or listen from there.