Proverbs 21

King James Version

Full text for Proverbs Chapter 21

1¶ The king'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 own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3¶ To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4¶ An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.

5¶ The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

6¶ The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity 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¶ The 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, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10¶ The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11¶ When the scorner 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 wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.

13¶ Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14¶ A gift in secret pacifieth anger: 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 iniquity.

16¶ The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17¶ He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18¶ The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19¶ [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20¶ [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21¶ He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22¶ A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23¶ Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24¶ Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25¶ The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth 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 hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.

30¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Proverbs 21 emphasizes the LORD's ultimate control over all things, including the hearts of rulers, and contrasts the paths of the righteous and the wicked. It highlights that doing justice and judgment is more acceptable to God than sacrifice, and warns against pride, sloth, and deceit. The chapter commends diligence, wisdom, and compassion, noting that true safety and success ultimately come from the LORD.

Medium Summary

Proverbs 21 begins by asserting God's sovereign control over the hearts of kings, directing them as He wills, and contrasts this with man's tendency to see his own ways as right. It stresses that acts of justice and judgment are more pleasing to the LORD than mere ritualistic sacrifices, and identifies pride as a significant sin. The chapter distinguishes between the diligent, whose efforts lead to abundance, and the hasty or slothful, who tend towards want. It warns against gaining wealth through deceit and highlights the destructive nature of wickedness, which ultimately consumes itself. Practical wisdom is offered regarding domestic peace, the power of a controlled tongue, and the importance of responding to the cries of the poor. The chapter concludes by affirming that no human wisdom or preparation can stand against the LORD's will, and that true safety is found in Him.

Long Summary

Proverbs 21 opens with a powerful declaration of the LORD's absolute sovereignty, illustrating His control over the king's heart, turning it as easily as rivers of water. It immediately contrasts this divine perspective with human self-deception, where every man's way appears right in his own eyes, while the LORD truly weighs the hearts. The chapter then establishes that performing justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than offering sacrifices, underscoring the divine preference for ethical conduct over ritual. Pride, characterized by a high look and a proud heart, is explicitly identified as sin, even in the endeavors of the wicked. The text distinguishes between the diligent, whose thoughts lead to prosperity, and the hasty, who tend towards want, and condemns wealth gained through deceit as a vanity leading to death. It notes that the robbery of the wicked shall destroy them because they refuse to do judgment. The chapter further contrasts the froward path of the wicked with the upright work of the pure. Practical advice includes preferring solitude over living with a contentious woman and the wisdom of secret gifts to appease anger. The consequences of actions are clearly laid out: ignoring the poor leads to one's own cries being unheard, and loving pleasure results in poverty. The chapter also states that the wicked serve as a ransom for the righteous. It concludes by affirming that there is no wisdom, understanding, or counsel that can stand against the LORD, and that while horses are prepared for battle, ultimate safety and victory come from Him alone.

Core Concepts

  • Divine SovereigntyThe LORD holds ultimate control, even over the hearts of kings, directing them according to His will, and no human wisdom or counsel can prevail against Him.
  • Justice Over SacrificePerforming acts of justice and judgment is presented as more acceptable to God than mere ritualistic sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of righteous conduct.
  • Consequences of WickednessThe chapter repeatedly illustrates that the wicked are self-destructive, their desires are evil, their sacrifices are an abomination, and their ultimate end is destruction or serving as a ransom for the righteous.
  • Value of Diligence and WisdomDiligent effort leads to abundance, while haste and sloth result in poverty. Wisdom is shown to provide protection, success, and the ability to overcome challenges.
  • The Peril of PridePride, manifested as a "high look" and a "proud heart," is explicitly identified as sin, leading to destructive behavior and an abominable character.
  • Domestic HarmonyThe chapter twice advises that it is better to live in solitude or a difficult environment than with a brawling, contentious, or angry woman, highlighting the importance of peace in the home.
  • Care for the PoorA specific warning is given that those who ignore the cries of the poor will themselves cry out in distress and not be heard, underscoring the divine expectation of compassion.