Proverbs 21Proverbs21

Berean Standard BibleKing James Version

1. The King’s Heart

   (Psalm 21:1–13)

2. 1BSBThe king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.KJVKJV: The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
3. 2BSBAll a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.KJVKJV: Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
4. 3BSBTo do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.KJVKJV: To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
5. 4BSBHaughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.KJVKJV: An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
6. 5BSBThe plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.KJVKJV: The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
7. 6BSBMaking a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.KJVKJV: The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
8. 7BSBThe violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.KJVKJV: The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
9. 8BSBThe way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.KJVKJV: The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
10. 9BSBBetter to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.KJVKJV: It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
11. 10BSBThe soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.KJVKJV: The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
12. 11BSBWhen a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.KJVKJV: When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
13. 12BSBThe Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.KJVKJV: The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
14. 13BSBWhoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.KJVKJV: Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
15. 14BSBA gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.KJVKJV: A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
16. 15BSBJustice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.KJVKJV: It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
17. 16BSBThe man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.KJVKJV: The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
18. 17BSBHe who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.KJVKJV: He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
19. 18BSBThe wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.KJVKJV: The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
20. 19BSBBetter to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.KJVKJV: It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
21. 20BSBPrecious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.KJVKJV: There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
22. 21BSBHe who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.KJVKJV: He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
23. 22BSBA wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.KJVKJV: A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
24. 23BSBHe who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.KJVKJV: Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
25. 24BSBMocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.KJVKJV: Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
26. 25BSBThe craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.KJVKJV: The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
27. 26BSBAll day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.KJVKJV: He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
28. 27BSBThe sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!KJVKJV: The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
29. 28BSBA lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.KJVKJV: A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
30. 29BSBA wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.KJVKJV: A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
31. 30BSBThere is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.KJVKJV: There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
32. 31BSBA horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.KJVKJV: The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.