Proverbs 21
1
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
2
a Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
b But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3
c To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4
d A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing of the wicked are sin.
5
e The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
6
f Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7
The violence of the wicked will destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8
The way of a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9
Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with g a contentious woman.
10
h The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the i wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12
The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13
j Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14
A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.
15
It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16
A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the k dead.
17
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19
Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20
l There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21
m He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness and honor.
22
A n wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.
23
o Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24
A proud and haughty man - "Scoffer" is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25
The p desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26
He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous q gives and does not spare.
27
r The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28
A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29
A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
30
s There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.
31
The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But t deliverance is of the LORD.
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Cross References
Proverbs 16:2
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the spirits.
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Cross References
Proverbs 24:12
If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?
Luke 16:15
And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 15:22
So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight ...
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination t...
Isaiah 1:11
To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrif...
Isaiah 1:16
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put awa...
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppr...
Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the k...
Micah 6:7
Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams...
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what...
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Cross References
Proverbs 6:17
A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood.
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Cross References
Proverbs 10:4
He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:3
By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:13
A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.
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Cross References
James 4:5
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"?
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Cross References
Proverbs 19:25
Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.
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Cross References
Matthew 7:2
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 18:30 - 34
And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
James 2:13
For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
1 John 3:17
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
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Cross References
Psalms 49:14
Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling.
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Cross References
Psalms 112:3
Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.
Proverbs 8:21
That I may cause those who love me to inherit wealth, That I may fill their treasuries.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But He loves him who follows righteousness.
Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Romans 2:7
Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.
1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
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Cross References
2 Samuel 5:6 - 9
And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke to David, saying, "You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you," thinking, "David cannot come in here.
Proverbs 24:5
A wise man is strong, Yes, a man of knowledge increases strength.
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom strengthens the wise More than ten rulers of the city.
Ecclesiastes 9:15
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that same poor man.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then I said: "Wisdom is better than strength. Nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, And his words are not heard.
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Cross References
Proverbs 12:13
The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
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Cross References
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.
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Cross References
Proverbs 22:9
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.
Ephesians 4:28
Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
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Cross References
Proverbs 15:8
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, But the prayer of the upright is His delight.
Isaiah 66:3
He who kills a bull is as if he slays a man; He who sacrifices a lamb, as if he breaks a dog's neck; He who offers a grain offering, as if he offers swine's blood; He who burns incense, as if he blesses an idol. Just as they have chosen their own ways, And their soul delights in their abominations.
Jeremiah 6:20
For what purpose to Me Comes frankincense from Sheba, And sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, Nor your sacrifices sweet to Me.
Amos 5:22
Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, Nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings.
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Cross References
Isaiah 8:9
Be shattered, O you peoples, and be broken in p...
Isaiah 8:10
Take counsel together, but it will come to noth...
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory...
Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who glories glory in this, That he ...
Acts 5:39
"but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it -...
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness wit...
1 Corinthians 3:20
And again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the ...
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Cross References
Psalms 3:8
Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah
Jeremiah 3:23
Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the LORD our God Is the salvation of Israel.
1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.