LUX VERITAS

Old Testament · Chapter 21 of 31

Proverbs 21

Mishlei

The king's heart {is} in the hand of the LORD, {as} the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2Every way of a man {is} right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3To do justice and judgment {is} more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4An high look, and a proud heart, {and} the plowing of the wicked, {is} sin. {An...: Heb. Haughtiness of eyes} {the plowing: or, the light}

5The thoughts of the diligent {tend} only to plenteousness; but of every one {that is} hasty only to want.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue {is} a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. {destroy...: Heb. saw them, or, dwell with them}

8The 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. {a brawling...: Heb. a woman of contentions} {a wide...: Heb. an house of society}

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. {findeth...: Heb. is not favoured}

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12The righteous {man} wisely considereth the house of the wicked: {but God} overthroweth the wicked for {their} wickedness.

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

14A 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.

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

17He that loveth pleasure {shall be} a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. {pleasure: or, sport}

18The 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. {in...: Heb. in the land of the desert}

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

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

22A wise {man} scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

24Proud {and} haughty scorner {is} his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. {in proud...: Heb. in the wrath of pride}

25The 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.

27The sacrifice of the wicked {is} abomination: how much more, {when} he bringeth it with a wicked mind? {with...: Heb. in wickedness?}

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. {A...: Heb. A witness of lies}

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but {as for} the upright, he directeth his way. {directeth: or, considereth}

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. {safety: or, victory}

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About Proverbs

Practical wisdom in short sentences: money, the tongue, laziness, friendship, desire. It opens with a father instructing his son and closes with the praise of the woman of valour.