Proverbs 21
Proverbs on the heart, justice, and humility. The king's heart is a stream of water directed by God. Every way of a person seems right, but God weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable than sacrifice.
ProverbsChapter 21 of 3131 versesBerean Standard Bible
If God speaks to you through Proverbs 21, record what He said in Doxa and come back to it.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
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, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
Read next
How to Hear God’s Voice: A Practical Guide for BelieversScripture is the record of a God who speaks. This guide covers how to hear Him today and keep what He says.Cross-references for Proverbs 21
“For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel.”
“All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.”
“So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.”
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
“He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.”
Cross-references from OpenBible.info, licensed CC BY.
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If God speaks to you through Proverbs 21
Doxa is where you record what God has said to you, in the words it came in, weigh it against Scripture with people you trust, and come back to it in the years that follow.
