Proverbs 21

Proverbs · Chapter 21

Proverbs 21:1

1The 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.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.8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.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.15It 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.18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.20There 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.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?28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.30There 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.

King James Version (1769)

Other translations

VerseKJVBSBASV
1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.

In context

Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.

Original Hebrew words

EnglishHebrewSay itStrong'sMeaning
[is] streams ofפַּלְגֵי־pal-gei-H6388
stream

פֶּ֫לֶג (pe.leg) channel, canal

waterמַ֣יִםMA-yimH4325G
water

מַי (ma.yim) 1) water, waters 1a) water 1b) water of the feet, urine 1c) of danger, violence, transitory things, refreshment (fig.)

[the] heart ofלֶב־lev-H3820A
mind

בָּל (bal) mind, heart Aramaic of lev (לֵב "heart" H3820A)

a kingמֶ֭לֶךְME-lekhH4428G
king

מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) 1) king Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)

in [the] hand ofבְּיַד־be-yad-H3027G
hand

יָד (yad) : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists

Yahwehיְהוָ֑הYAH-wehH3068G
Lord

אֲדֹנָי (a.do.nai) Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

toעַֽל־'al-H5921A
upon

עַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) …

allכָּל־kol-H3605
all

כֹּל (kol) 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

thatאֲשֶׁ֖ר'a-SHERH0834A
which

אֲשֶׁר (a.sher) A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

he desiresיַחְפֹּ֣ץyach-POTZH2654A
to delight in

חָפֵץ (cha.phets) 1) to delight in, take pleasure in, desire, be pleased with 1a) (Qal) 1a1) of men 1a1a) to take pleasure in, delight in 1a1b) to delight, desire, be pleased to do 1a2) of God 1a2a) to delight in, have pleasure in 1a2b) to be pleased to do

he turns itיַטֶּֽנּוּ׃ya-TE-nuH5186
to stretch

נָטָה (na.tah) 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away

Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.