1 The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, `Even' the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent `tend' only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty `hasteth' only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, `How' the wicked are overthrown to `their' ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, 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 that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly 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 is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous `cometh' in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Proverbs 21
Commentary on Proverbs 21 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 21
Pro 21:1
Note,
Pro 21:2
Note,
Pro 21:3
Here,
Pro 21:4
This may be taken as showing us,
Pro 21:5
Here is,
Pro 21:6
This shows the folly of those that hope to enrich themselves by dishonest practices, by oppressing and over-reaching those with whom they deal, by false-witness-bearing, or by fraudulent contracts, of those that make no scruples of lying when there is any thing to be got by it. They may perhaps heap up treasures by these means, that which they make their treasure; but,
Pro 21:7
See here,
Pro 21:8
This shows that as men are so is their way.
Pro 21:9
See here,
Pro 21:10
See here the character of a very wicked man.
Pro 21:11
This we had before (ch. 19:25), and it shows that there are two ways by which the simple may be made wise:-
Pro 21:12
Pro 21:13
Here we have the description and doom of an uncharitable man.
Pro 21:14
Here is,
Pro 21:15
Note,
Pro 21:16
Here is,
Pro 21:17
Here is an argument against a voluptuous luxurious life, taken from the ruin it brings upon men's temporal interests. Here is
Pro 21:18
This intimates,
Pro 21:19
Note,
Pro 21:20
Note,
Pro 21:21
See here,
Pro 21:22
Note,
Pro 21:23
Note,
Pro 21:24
See here the mischief of pride and haughtiness.
Pro 21:25-26
Here we have,
Pro 21:27
Sacrifices were of divine institution; and when they were offered in faith, and with repentance and reformation, God was greatly honoured by them and well-pleased in them. But they were often not only unacceptable, but an abomination, to God, and he declared so, which was an indication both that they were not required for their own sakes and that there were better things, and for effectual, in reserve, when sacrifice and offering should be done away. They were an abomination,
Pro 21:28
Here is,
Pro 21:29
Here is,
Pro 21:30-31
The designing busy part of mankind are directed, in all their counsels and undertakings, to have their eye to God, and to believe,