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Proverbs 21 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

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The LORD Considers the Heart
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:1 - The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD,
Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:2 - Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
But the LORD weighs the hearts.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:3 - To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:4 - A haughty look, a proud heart,
And the plowing[fn] of the wicked are sin.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:5 - The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:6 - Getting treasures by a lying tongue
Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.[fn]
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:7 - The violence of the wicked will destroy them,[fn]
Because they refuse to do justice.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:8 - The way of a guilty man is perverse;[fn]
But as for the pure, his work is right.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:9 - Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:10 - The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:11 - When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:12 - The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:13 - Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:14 - A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe behind the back,[fn] strong wrath.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:15 - It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:16 - A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:17 - He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:18 - The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:19 - Better to dwell in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:20 - There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:21 - He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:22 - A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
And brings down the trusted stronghold.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:23 - Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:24 - A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:25 - The desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:26 - He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous gives and does not spare.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:27 - The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:28 - A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:29 - A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he establishes[fn] his way.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:30 - There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the LORD.
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 21:31 - The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But deliverance is of the LORD.
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.
NKJV

New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

The text of the New King James Version (NKJV) appearing on or deriving from this or any other web page is for personal use only. Any other use of the NKJV must be in conformity with the Quotation Policy for the New King James Version. For more information about the New King James Version, the Quotation Policy, and for inquiries about permission to use the New King James Version, go to Thomas Nelson, Inc..

For more information on this translation, see the NKJV Preface.

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