The chapter opens with the LORD's sovereignty over royal authority: the king's heart is like channels of water in the LORD's hand, turned wherever he wills. A person may think his own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and the lamp of the wicked are sin.
Proverbs 21:1
1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
Proverbs 21:2
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
Proverbs 21:3
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
Proverbs 21:4
4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The plans of the diligent lead to profit, while haste leads to poverty. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. The violence of the wicked drags them away because they refuse to do what is right. The guilty walk a crooked path, but the innocent walk uprightly.
Proverbs 21:5
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
Proverbs 21:6
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Proverbs 21:7
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
Proverbs 21:8
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. The wicked crave evil and show no mercy to neighbors. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; when the wise are instructed, they receive knowledge. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
Proverbs 21:9
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
Proverbs 21:10
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
Proverbs 21:11
11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. A gift given in secret can pacify anger, and a concealed bribe can calm strong wrath. Justice brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. Pleasure-loving and indulgent living lead to poverty. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
Proverbs 21:13
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
Proverbs 21:18
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
It is better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. The wise store up choice food and oil, while fools gulp theirs down. Pursuing righteousness and love leads to life, prosperity, and honor. The wise can conquer the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. Guarding the mouth and tongue keeps a person from calamity. The proud and arrogant person is called Mocker. The sluggard's craving becomes deadly because his hands refuse to work, while the righteous give without sparing. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable, especially when brought with evil intent. A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
Proverbs 21:19
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Proverbs 21:20
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
Proverbs 21:21
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:24
24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
Proverbs 21:25-26
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
Proverbs 21:27
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
Proverbs 21:29
29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
The chapter closes with a sweeping theological conclusion. There is no wisdom, no insight, and no plan that can succeed against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.