Aussie Bible logo: gum tree, cross and Uluru at sunset over an open book Aussie BibleFair Dinkum Edition

Proverbs 21

The king's heart is in the Lord's hand. Doing what is right is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. There is no wisdom, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

Now reading: Fair Dinkum

You’re in Study Mode. Each verse shows our Fair Dinkum rendering with the King James Version (1611) underneath, so you can compare them. Use the button above to switch back to plain reading.

Solomonic proverbs

In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their 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 and a proud heart — the unploughed field of the wicked — produce sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a deadly snare. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. The wicked crave evil; their neighbours get no mercy from them. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. When justice is done, it 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. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour. One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. The proud and arrogant person — Mocker is their name — behaves with insolent fury. The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable — how much more so 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. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

1

In the Lord's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.

King James Version, 1611

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

2

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.

King James Version, 1611

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

3

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

King James Version, 1611

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

4

Haughty eyes and a proud heart — the unploughed field of the wicked — produce sin.

King James Version, 1611

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

5

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

King James Version, 1611

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

6

A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a deadly snare.

King James Version, 1611

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

7

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.

King James Version, 1611

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

8

The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

King James Version, 1611

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

9

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

King James Version, 1611

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

10

The wicked crave evil; their neighbours get no mercy from them.

King James Version, 1611

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

11

When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

King James Version, 1611

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

12

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

King James Version, 1611

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

13

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.

King James Version, 1611

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

14

A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

King James Version, 1611

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

15

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.

King James Version, 1611

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

16

Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.

King James Version, 1611

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

17

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

King James Version, 1611

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

18

The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

King James Version, 1611

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

19

Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

King James Version, 1611

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

20

The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

King James Version, 1611

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

21

Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honour.

King James Version, 1611

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

22

One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

King James Version, 1611

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

23

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

King James Version, 1611

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

24

The proud and arrogant person — Mocker is their name — behaves with insolent fury.

King James Version, 1611

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

25

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

King James Version, 1611

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

26

All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.

King James Version, 1611

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

27

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable — how much more so when brought with evil intent.

King James Version, 1611

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

28

A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.

King James Version, 1611

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

29

The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.

King James Version, 1611

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

30

There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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

31

The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

King James Version, 1611

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