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Proverbs 21 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

The LORD Considers the Heart

Pro 21:1

Pro 21:1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.

Pro 21:2

Pro 21:2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.

Pro 21:3

Pro 21:3To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Pro 21:4

Pro 21:4A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing[fn] of the wicked are sin.

Pro 21:5

Pro 21:5The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Pro 21:6

Pro 21:6Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.[fn]

Pro 21:7

Pro 21:7The violence of the wicked will destroy them,[fn]
Because they refuse to do justice.

Pro 21:8

Pro 21:8The way of a guilty man is perverse;[fn]
But as for the pure, his work is right.

Pro 21:9

Pro 21:9Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

Pro 21:10

Pro 21:10The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Pro 21:11

Pro 21:11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

Pro 21:12

Pro 21:12The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

Pro 21:13

Pro 21:13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

Pro 21:14

Pro 21:14A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back,[fn] strong wrath.

Pro 21:15

Pro 21:15It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.

Pro 21:16

Pro 21:16A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Pro 21:17

Pro 21:17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

Pro 21:18

Pro 21:18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.

Pro 21:19

Pro 21:19Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

Pro 21:20

Pro 21:20There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.

Pro 21:21

Pro 21:21He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Pro 21:22

Pro 21:22A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.

Pro 21:23

Pro 21:23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.

Pro 21:24

Pro 21:24A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.

Pro 21:25

Pro 21:25The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.

Pro 21:26

Pro 21:26He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.

Pro 21:27

Pro 21:27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!

Pro 21:28

Pro 21:28A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

Pro 21:29

Pro 21:29A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes[fn] his way.

Pro 21:30

Pro 21:30There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.

Pro 21:31

Pro 21:31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD.
See the NKJV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).
NKJV Footnotes
Or lamp
Septuagint reads Pursue vanity on the snares of death; Vulgate reads Is vain and foolish, and shall stumble on the snares of death; Targum reads They shall be destroyed, and they shall fall who seek death.
Literally drag them away
Or The way of a man is perverse and strange
Literally in the bosom
Qere and Septuagint read understands.
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Proverbs Chapter 21 — Additional Translations:

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