---
title: Proverbs 21
slug: kjv/proverbs-21
createdAt: 2024-08-21T03:24:09.939Z
---

**1 **The king's heart *is* in the hand of the LORD, *as* the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

**2 **Every way of a man *is* right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

**3 **To do justice and judgment *is* more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

**4 **An high look, and a proud heart, *and* the plowing of the wicked, *is* sin.

**5 **The thoughts of the diligent *tend* only to plenteousness; but of every one *that is* hasty only to want.

**6 **The getting of treasures by a lying tongue *is* a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

**7 **The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

**8 **The way of man *is* froward and strange: but *as for* the pure, his work *is* right.

**9 ***It is* better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

**10 **The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

**11 **When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

**12 **The righteous *man* wisely considereth the house of the wicked: *but God* overthroweth the wicked for *their* wickedness.

**13 **Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

**14 **A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

**15 ***It is* joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction *shall be* to the workers of iniquity.

**16 **The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

**17 **He that loveth pleasure *shall be* a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

**18 **The wicked *shall be* a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

**19 ***It is* better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

**20 ***There is* treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

**21 **He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

**22 **A wise *man* scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

**23 **Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

**24 **Proud *and* haughty scorner *is* his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

**25 **The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

**26 **He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

**27 **The sacrifice of the wicked *is* abomination: how much more, *when* he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

**28 **A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

**29 **A wicked man hardeneth his face: but *as for* the upright, he directeth his way.

**30 ***There is* no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

**31 **The horse *is* prepared against the day of battle: but safety *is* of the LORD.