Open Canon

The Proverbs — Chapter 21

Do righteousness and justice—Follow after righteousness and mercy—Safety comes from the Lord.

1 The aking’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his aown eyes: but the Lordbpondereth the chearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than asacrifice.
4 aAn high look, and a bproud heart, andcthe plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that isahasty only to want.
6 The getting of atreasures by a lying tongue is a bvanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 aThe way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, athan with a brawling bwoman in a cwide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his aneighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the ascorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the awicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the apoor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth aanger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of ainiquity.
16 The man that awandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth apleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be brich.
18 The wicked shall be a aransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to adwell in the wilderness, than with a bcontentious and an angry woman.
20 There isatreasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man bspendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after arighteousness and mercy findeth blife, righteousness, and honour.
22 A awise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his amouth and his btongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the aslothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to blabour.
26 He acoveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous bgiveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man ahardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor aunderstanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The ahorse is prepared against the day of battle: but bsafety is of the Lord.