Proverbs 21Proverbs21

King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

1. The King’s Heart

   (Psalm 21:1–13)

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