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Proverbs 21

BSB·31 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1The king’sמֶ֭לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study → heartלֶב־leḇ- — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → is a waterwayפַּלְגֵי־pal·ḡê- — Stream, watercourse, or flowing water channelH6388 — Full Word Study → in the handבְּיַד־bə·yaḏ- — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →; He directs itיַטֶּֽנּוּ׃yaṭ·ṭen·nū — to stretch out, extend, incline, bendH5186 — Full Word Study → whereעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → He pleasesיַחְפֹּ֣ץyaḥ·pōṣ — to delight in; to desire; to take pleasureH2654 — Full Word Study →. 2Allכָּֽל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → a man’sאִ֭ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → waysדֶּרֶךְ־de·reḵ- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → seemבְּעֵינָ֑יוbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → right to himיָשָׁ֣רyā·šār — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study →, but the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → weighsוְתֹכֵ֖ןwə·ṯō·ḵên — To weigh, measure, or balance; to ponder or consider carefullyH8505 — Full Word Study → the heartלִבּ֣וֹתlib·bō·wṯ — heart; inner person; mind; willH3826 — Full Word Study →. 3To doעֲ֭שֹׂה‘ă·śōh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → righteousnessצְדָקָ֣הṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → and justiceוּמִשְׁפָּ֑טū·miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → is more desirableנִבְחָ֖רniḇ·ḥār — To choose, select, or preferH977 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → than sacrificeמִזָּֽבַח׃miz·zā·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study →. 4Haughtyרוּם־rūm- — height, haughtiness, loftinessH7312 — Full Word Study → eyesעֵ֭ינַיִם‘ê·na·yim — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study → and a proudוּרְחַב־ū·rə·ḥaḇ- — Broad, WideH7342 — Full Word Study → heartלֵ֑בlêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →the guidesנִ֖רnir — A lamp or light source; illuminationH5216 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְשָׁעִ֣יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →—are sin. 5The plansמַחְשְׁב֣וֹתmaḥ·šə·ḇō·wṯ — plan, purpose, or scheme (often with moral implications)H4284 — Full Word Study → of the diligentחָ֭רוּץḥā·rūṣ — Gold; determination; sharp threshing toolH2742 — Full Word Study → bring plentyלְמוֹתָ֑רlə·mō·w·ṯār — Advantage, profit, or superiorityH4195 — Full Word Study →, as surelyאַךְ־’aḵ- — Surely, certainly, only, neverthelessH389 — Full Word Study → as haste leads to povertyלְמַחְסֽוֹר׃lə·maḥ·sō·wr — Lack, want, or shortage; deprivation or povertyH4270 — Full Word Study →. 6Makingפֹּ֣עַלpō·‘al — work, deed, or actionH6467 — Full Word Study → a fortuneא֭וֹצָרוֹת’ō·w·ṣā·rō·wṯ — Storehouse or treasury; a place where valuables are keptH214 — Full Word Study → by a lyingשָׁ֑קֶרšā·qer — Deception, falsehood, lieH8267 — Full Word Study → tongueבִּלְשׁ֣וֹןbil·šō·wn — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study → is a vanishingנִ֝דָּ֗ףnid·dāp̄ — to drive away, thrust, or shake violentlyH5086 — Full Word Study → mistהֶ֥בֶלhe·ḇel — Vanity, emptiness, futilityH1892 — Full Word Study →, a deadlyמָֽוֶת׃mā·weṯ — death, the state of being deadH4194 — Full Word Study → pursuitמְבַקְשֵׁי־mə·ḇaq·šê- — To seek, search for, or request earnestlyH1245 — Full Word Study →. 7The violenceשֹׁד־šōḏ- — Violence, destruction, or ruinH7701 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְשָׁעִ֥יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → will sweep them awayיְגוֹרֵ֑םyə·ḡō·w·rêm — to drag, chew, or saw; to gnawH1641 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they refuseמֵ֝אֲנ֗וּmê·’ă·nū — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → to doלַעֲשׂ֥וֹתla·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → what is justמִשְׁפָּֽט׃miš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study →. 8The wayדֶּ֣רֶךְde·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of a guiltyוָזָ֑רwā·zār — to be estranged, act as a stranger, behave as foreignH2054 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → is crookedהֲפַכְפַּ֬ךְhă·p̄aḵ·paḵ — Crooked, perverse, frowardH2019 — Full Word Study →, but the conductפָּעֳלֽוֹ׃pā·‘o·lōw — work, deed, or actionH6467 — Full Word Study → of the innocentוְ֝זַ֗ךְwə·zaḵ — Pure, clean, unmixedH2134 — Full Word Study → is uprightיָשָׁ֥רyā·šār — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study →. 9Betterט֗וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → to liveלָשֶׁ֥בֶתlā·še·ḇeṯ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → onעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → a cornerפִּנַּת־pin·naṯ- — corner, cornerstone, angle, fortressH6438 — Full Word Study → of the roofגָּ֑גgāḡ — Roof of a house or buildingH1406 — Full Word Study → than to shareחָֽבֶר׃ḥā·ḇer — enchantment, charm, spell; association or bondH2267 — Full Word Study → a houseוּבֵ֥יתū·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → with a quarrelsomeמִ֝דְיָנִ֗יםmiḏ·yā·nîm — Contention, strife, brawlingH4079 — Full Word Study → wifeמֵאֵ֥שֶׁתmê·’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →. 10The soulנֶ֣פֶשׁne·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → of the wicked man cravesאִוְּתָה־’iw·wə·ṯāh- — To desire intensely; to long for or craveH183 — Full Word Study → evilרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →; his neighborרֵעֵֽהוּ׃rê·‘ê·hū — neighbor, friend, companion, associateH7453 — Full Word Study → finds no favorיֻחַ֖ןyu·ḥan — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study → in his eyesבְּעֵינָ֣יוbə·‘ê·nāw — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →. 11When a mockerלֵ֭ץlēṣ — to mock, scorn, or ridiculeH3887 — Full Word Study → is punishedבַּעְנָשׁ־ba‘·nāš- — to fine, impose a penalty, condemnH6064 — Full Word Study →, the simpleפֶּ֑תִיpe·ṯî — Simple, naive, or easily deceived personH6612 — Full Word Study → gain wisdomיֶחְכַּם־yeḥ·kam- — to be wise; to act with wisdomH2449 — Full Word Study →; and when a wise manלְ֝חָכָ֗םlə·ḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study → is instructedוּבְהַשְׂכִּ֥ילū·ḇə·haś·kîl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study →, he acquiresיִקַּח־yiq·qaḥ- — to take, seize, or receiveH3947 — Full Word Study → knowledgeדָּֽעַת׃dā·‘aṯ — Knowledge, understanding, awarenessH1847 — Full Word Study →. 12The Righteous Oneצַ֭דִּיקṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → considersמַשְׂכִּ֣ילmaś·kîl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → the houseלְבֵ֣יתlə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרָשָׁ֑עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → and brings the wickedרְשָׁעִ֣יםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → to ruinלָרָֽע׃lā·rā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →. 13Whoever shutsאֹטֵ֣ם’ō·ṭêm — to shut up, close, or stopH331 — Full Word Study → his earsאָ֭זְנוֹ’ā·zə·nōw — Ear; the organ of hearing and listeningH241 — Full Word Study → to the cryמִזַּעֲקַת־miz·za·‘ă·qaṯ- — A cry or outcry; a shout of distress or complaintH2201 — Full Word Study → of the poorדָּ֑לdāl — poor, needy, weakH1800 — Full Word Study →, heה֥וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → tooגַּֽם־gam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → shall cry outיִ֝קְרָ֗אyiq·rā — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → and receive no answerיֵעָנֶֽה׃yê·‘ā·neh — To answer, respond, or testifyH6030 — Full Word Study →. 14A giftמַתָּ֣ןmat·tān — A gift or present given to anotherH4976 — Full Word Study → in secretבַּ֭סֵּתֶרbas·sê·ṯer — hiding place, shelter, concealmentH5643 — Full Word Study → soothesיִכְפֶּה־yiḵ·peh- — to subdue, pacify, or appeaseH3711 — Full Word Study → angerאָ֑ף’āp̄ — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study →, and a covertבַּ֝חֵ֗קba·ḥêq — Bosom; lap; embrace; inner chamberH2436 — Full Word Study → bribeוְשֹׁ֥חַדwə·šō·ḥaḏ — A bribe; a gift given to corrupt or influenceH7810 — Full Word Study → pacifies great wrathחֵמָ֥הḥê·māh — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study →. 15Justiceמִשְׁפָּ֑טmiš·pāṭ — Justice, judgment, or legal decisionH4941 — Full Word Study → executedעֲשׂ֣וֹת‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → is a joyשִׂמְחָ֣הśim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → to the righteousלַ֭צַּדִּיקlaṣ·ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →, but a terrorוּ֝מְחִתָּ֗הū·mə·ḥit·tāh — Terror, sudden fright, dismayH4288 — Full Word Study → to the workersלְפֹ֣עֲלֵיlə·p̄ō·‘ă·lê — to do, work, make, performH6466 — Full Word Study → of iniquityאָֽוֶן׃’ā·wen — Evil, wickedness, iniquity, or worthlessnessH205 — Full Word Study →. 16The manאָדָ֗ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → who straysתּ֭וֹעֶהtō·w·‘eh — to stray, wander, or go astrayH8582 — Full Word Study → from the pathמִדֶּ֣רֶךְmid·de·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → of understandingהַשְׂכֵּ֑לhaś·kêl — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → will restיָנֽוּחַ׃yā·nū·aḥ — To rest, cease, or remain in a state of quietnessH5117 — Full Word Study → in the assemblyבִּקְהַ֖לbiq·hal — Assembly, congregation, gathering of peopleH6951 — Full Word Study → of the deadרְפָאִ֣יםrə·p̄ā·’îm — Shade, shadow, ghost of the deadH7496 — Full Word Study →. 17He who lovesאֹהֵ֣ב’ō·hêḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → pleasureשִׂמְחָ֑הśim·ḥāh — Joy, gladness, rejoicingH8057 — Full Word Study → will become poorמַ֭חְסוֹרmaḥ·sō·wr — Lack, want, or shortage; deprivation or povertyH4270 — Full Word Study →; the one who lovesאֹהֵ֥ב’ō·hêḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study → wineיַֽיִן־ya·yin- — Wine; fermented grape juiceH3196 — Full Word Study → and oilוָ֝שֶׁ֗מֶןwā·še·men — Oil; ointment; fat; luxuryH8081 — Full Word Study → will neverלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be richיַעֲשִֽׁיר׃ya·‘ă·šîr — to become or make rich; to enrichH6238 — Full Word Study →. 18The wickedרָשָׁ֑עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → become a ransom for the righteousלַצַּדִּ֣יקlaṣ·ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →, and the faithlessבּוֹגֵֽד׃bō·w·ḡêḏ — To act treacherously; betray or deal unfaithfullyH898 — Full Word Study → forוְתַ֖חַתwə·ṯa·ḥaṯ — Under, beneath, instead of, in place ofH8478 — Full Word Study → the uprightיְשָׁרִ֣יםyə·šā·rîm — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study →. 19Betterט֗וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study → to liveשֶׁ֥בֶתše·ḇeṯ — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study → in the desertבְּאֶֽרֶץ־bə·’e·reṣ- — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → than with a contentiousמְדוֹנִיםmə·ḏō·nīm — Strife, quarreling, contentionH4066 — Full Word Study → and ill-temperedוָכָֽעַס׃wā·ḵā·‘as — Vexation, provocation, or irritation that stirs angerH3708 — Full Word Study → wifeמֵאֵ֖שֶׁתmê·’ê·šeṯ — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →. 20Preciousנֶחְמָ֣דneḥ·māḏ — To desire, covet, or take delight inH2530 — Full Word Study → treasuresאוֹצָ֤ר׀’ō·w·ṣār — Storehouse or treasury; a place where valuables are keptH214 — Full Word Study → and oilוָ֭שֶׁמֶןwā·še·men — Oil; ointment; fat; luxuryH8081 — Full Word Study → are in the dwellingבִּנְוֵ֣הbin·wêh — Pleasant dwelling place or homeH5116 — Full Word Study → of the wiseחָכָ֑םḥā·ḵām — Wise, skilled, or cunning in understanding and discernmentH2450 — Full Word Study →, but a foolishוּכְסִ֖ילū·ḵə·sîl — fool, foolish personH3684 — Full Word Study → manאָדָ֣ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → consumes themיְבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃yə·ḇal·lə·‘en·nū — to swallow, devour, consume completelyH1104 — Full Word Study →. 21He who pursuesרֹ֭דֵףrō·ḏêp̄ — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → righteousnessצְדָקָ֣הṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study → and loving devotionוָחָ֑סֶדwā·ḥā·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → findsיִמְצָ֥אyim·ṣā — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study → lifeחַ֝יִּ֗יםḥay·yîm — alive, living, lifeH2416 — Full Word Study →, righteousnessצְדָקָ֥הṣə·ḏā·qāh — Righteousness, justice, right conductH6666 — Full Word Study →, and honorוְכָבֽוֹד׃wə·ḵā·ḇō·wḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study →. 22A wise man scalesעָלָ֣ה‘ā·lāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → the cityעִ֣יר‘îr — City; fortified settlement or townH5892 — Full Word Study → of the mightyגִּ֭בֹּרִיםgib·bō·rîm — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study → and pulls downוַ֝יֹּ֗רֶדway·yō·reḏ — To descend, go down, come downH3381 — Full Word Study → the strongholdעֹ֣ז‘ōz — Strength, power, or mightH5797 — Full Word Study → in which they trustמִבְטֶחָֽה׃miḇ·ṭe·ḥāh — Trust, confidence, secure refugeH4009 — Full Word Study →. 23He who guardsשֹׁמֵ֣רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → his mouthפִּ֭יוpîw — Mouth; lips; edge; openingH6310 — Full Word Study → and tongueוּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹū·lə·šō·w·nōw — Tongue; language; speechH3956 — Full Word Study → keepsשֹׁמֵ֖רšō·mêr — To guard, keep, observe, preserveH8104 — Full Word Study → his soulנַפְשֽׁוֹ׃nap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → from distressמִצָּר֣וֹתmiṣ·ṣā·rō·wṯ — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study →. 24Mockerלֵ֣ץlêṣ — to mock, scorn, or ridiculeH3887 — Full Word Study → is the nameשְׁמ֑וֹšə·mōw — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → of the proudזֵ֣דzêḏ — arrogant, presumptuous, one who acts with overweening prideH2086 — Full Word Study → and arrogant manיָ֭הִירyā·hîr — Proud, haughty, arrogant in bearingH3093 — Full Word Study →of him who actsע֝וֹשֶׂ֗ה‘ō·w·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → with excessiveבְּעֶבְרַ֥תbə·‘eḇ·raṯ — Fury, rage, intense angerH5678 — Full Word Study → prideזָדֽוֹן׃zā·ḏō·wn — Arrogance, presumption, or willful prideH2087 — Full Word Study →. 25The cravingתַּאֲוַ֣תta·’ă·waṯ — Strong desire; craving; longingH8378 — Full Word Study → of the slackerעָצֵ֣ל‘ā·ṣêl — sluggard; one who is lazy or slothfulH6102 — Full Word Study → kills himתְּמִיתֶ֑נּוּtə·mî·ṯen·nū — to die; to put to death; to killH4191 — Full Word Study → becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → his handsיָדָ֣יוyā·ḏāw — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → refuseמֵאֲנ֖וּmê·’ă·nū — To refuse, reject, or withhold consentH3985 — Full Word Study → to workלַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃la·‘ă·śō·wṯ — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study →. 26Allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → day longהַ֭יּוֹםhay·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → he covetsהִתְאַוָּ֣הhiṯ·’aw·wāh — To desire intensely; to long for or craveH183 — Full Word Study → moreתַאֲוָ֑הṯa·’ă·wāh — Strong desire; craving; longingH8378 — Full Word Study →, but the righteousוְצַדִּ֥יקwə·ṣad·dîq — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study → giveיִ֝תֵּ֗ןyit·tên — to give, grant, or bestowH5414 — Full Word Study → withoutוְלֹ֣אwə·lō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → restraintיַחְשֹֽׂךְ׃yaḥ·śōḵ — To withhold, restrain, or hold backH2820 — Full Word Study →. 27The sacrificeזֶ֣בַחze·ḇaḥ — sacrificial offering; animal sacrificeH2077 — Full Word Study → of the wickedרְ֭שָׁעִיםrə·šā·‘îm — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → is detestableתּוֹעֵבָ֑הtō·w·‘ê·ḇāh — Abomination; something detestable or loathsomeH8441 — Full Word Study →how much more soאַ֝֗ף’ap̄ — Also, moreover, even, indeedH637 — Full Word Study → whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → broughtיְבִיאֶֽנּוּ׃yə·ḇî·’en·nū — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → with ill intentבְזִמָּ֥הḇə·zim·māh — Wickedness, lewdness, or evil intentH2154 — Full Word Study →! 28A lyingכְּזָבִ֥יםkə·zā·ḇîm — Lie, falsehood, deceptionH3577 — Full Word Study → witnessעֵד־‘êḏ- — A person who testifies or bears witnessH5707 — Full Word Study → will perishיֹאבֵ֑דyō·ḇêḏ — To perish, be destroyed, or lostH6 — Full Word Study →, but the manוְאִ֥ישׁwə·’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → who listens to truth will speakיְדַבֵּֽר׃yə·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → foreverלָנֶ֥צַחlā·ne·ṣaḥ — perpetual strength; eternal enduranceH5331 — Full Word Study →. 29A wickedרָשָׁ֣עrā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study → manאִ֣ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hardensהֵעֵ֬זhê·‘êz — to be strong, harden, or act with boldnessH5810 — Full Word Study → his faceבְּפָנָ֑יוbə·p̄ā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →, but the upright man makesיָכִיןyå̄·ḵīn — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → his way sure. 30There is no wisdomחָ֭כְמָהḥāḵ·māh — Wisdom; skillful understanding and discernmentH2451 — Full Word Study →, noוְאֵ֣יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → understandingתְּבוּנָ֑הtə·ḇū·nāh — Prudent understanding; discernment and skillH8394 — Full Word Study →, noוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → counselעֵ֝צָ֗ה‘ê·ṣāh — counsel, advice, or purposeH6098 — Full Word Study → that can prevail against the LORDיְהוָֽה׃פYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 31A horseס֗וּסsūs — horse; swift creatureH5483 — Full Word Study → is preparedמ֭וּכָןmū·ḵān — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study → for the dayלְי֣וֹםlə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of battleמִלְחָמָ֑הmil·ḥā·māh — Battle, warfare, combat, military conflictH4421 — Full Word Study →, but victoryהַתְּשׁוּעָֽה׃hat·tə·šū·‘āh — Deliverance, salvation, victoryH8668 — Full Word Study → is of the LORD.
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Chapter Commentary — Proverbs 21
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 21 presents a compelling contrast between the wisdom of God and the foolishness of human pride and self-reliance. Throughout this chapter, Solomon repeatedly emphasizes that the Lord's sovereignty reigns supreme—He directs the hearts of kings, sees beyond human pretense, and ultimately determines the destiny of both the righteous and the wicked. The chapter calls believers to abandon pride, cultivate genuine righteousness, exercise self-control, and trust in God's providential care rather than depending on human schemes or material possessions.

Verses 1-5: God's Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

Verse 1 establishes the foundational truth: God's hand guides even the mightiest rulers, just as a farmer directs water to irrigate his fields. This is deeply reassuring for believers living under uncertain governments—ultimate authority belongs to the Lord alone. Verse 2 reminds us that while people justify their own actions, God alone truly knows the heart's condition. This private knowledge of God calls us to honest self-examination rather than defensive self-justification.

Verse 3 teaches that obedience and justice matter more to God than religious ritual. External acts of worship ring hollow when the heart lacks integrity. Verses 4-5 contrast the wicked person's pride and laziness with the diligent person's prosperity. Pride and haste lead to sin and poverty; careful thought and faithful effort lead to abundance. The spiritual principle is clear: humility and diligence honor God and produce blessing.

Verses 6-12: Consequences of Wickedness, Reward of Righteousness

Verse 6 warns that dishonest gain is ultimately worthless—like a vapor that disappears. The deceiver pursues what leads to spiritual death. Verse 7 shows that robbery destroys the robber himself through divine judgment. Verse 8 notes that the wicked person's way is twisted and strange, while the pure person's conduct is straightforward and honest.

Verses 9 and 19 (paired warnings) illustrate practical wisdom: peace in humble circumstances is preferable to conflict in luxury. A quarrelsome home, no matter how spacious, is a prison. Verse 10 shows that wickedness is inherently selfish—the wicked person refuses kindness to neighbors. Verses 11-12 offer hope: watching the wicked be punished teaches the simple wisdom, while God Himself ensures the wicked's ultimate downfall. The righteous may observe this with confidence in divine justice.

Verses 13-21: Mercy, Integrity, and the Path to Life

Verse 13 establishes a solemn principle: ignoring the cries of the poor ensures that one's own cries will go unheard. This reflects both natural consequences and God's responsive justice. Verses 14-15 acknowledge that gifts can smooth conflict, but true joy belongs to the just person who acts righteously—not to those who do evil.

Verse 16 warns starkly: abandoning understanding leads to spiritual death. Verse 17 teaches that pleasure-seeking and self-indulgence produce poverty, not prosperity. The wise person builds lasting wealth through discipline. Verse 18 states a mysterious but profound truth: the wicked serve as a ransom or substitute for the righteous—God's justice sometimes uses the fall of the wicked to protect His people.

Verse 20 contrasts the wise household, which accumulates treasure through careful stewardship, with the fool who squanders it. Verse 21 is the chapter's golden verse: pursuing righteousness and mercy—not wealth or status—leads to life, righteousness, and honor. This is God's true prosperity gospel.

Verses 22-31: Wisdom, Speech, and Trust in the Lord

Verse 22 shows that wisdom—not military might—conquers obstacles. Verses 23-24 emphasize controlling the tongue and avoiding prideful arrogance. Verses 25-26 contrast the lazy person, whose desires harm him, with the righteous giver who never lacks. Verse 27 reiterates that God abhors worship from an impure heart. Verses 28-29 contrast false witnesses with those whose honest testimony stands firm. The upright person walks a clear, directed path; the wicked person hardens his heart in resistance to God.

The chapter closes (verses 30-31) with assurance: no human wisdom or military strength can stand against the Lord. Our safety rests in Him alone, not in our preparations.

Application for Today

Proverbs 21 calls us to release anxiety about events beyond our control, knowing God directs all things. It challenges us to pursue genuine righteousness and mercy over status or wealth. Examine your heart: Are you justified your own ways, or open to God's truth? Do you practice justice and mercy? Can you trust God's sovereignty in your circumstances?

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