1 The king's heart is in Yahweh's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; And everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, Because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, But the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
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.
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 dead.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man: He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; The treacherous for 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 swallows it up.
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.
24 The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; He works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all the day long; But the righteous give and don't withhold.
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, And a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wicked man hardens his face; But as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
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.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Proverbs 21
Commentary on Proverbs 21 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 21
Pr 21:1-31.
1. rivers—irrigating channels (Ps 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare De 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (Pr 16:9; Ps 33:15).
2. (Compare Pr 14:2; 16:2-25).
3. (Compare Ps 50:7-15; Isa 1:11, 17).
4. high look—(Compare Margin; Ps 131:1).
proud heart—or, "heart of breadth," one that is swollen (compare Ps 101:5).
ploughing—better "lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity (Pr 20:20); hence joy or delight.
5. The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare Pr 19:2).
6. The getting—or, "what is obtained" (compare Job 7:2; Jer 22:13, Hebrew).
vanity … to and fro—as fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare Pr 20:17-21; Ps 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.
them … death—act as if they did (Pr 8:36; 17:19).
7. robbery—or, "destruction," especially oppression, of which they are authors.
shall destroy—literally, "cut with a saw" (1Ki 7:9), that is, utterly ruin them. Their sins shall be visited on them in kind.
to do judgment—what is just and right.
8. of man—any one; his way is opposed to truth, and also estranged from it. The pure proves himself such by his right conduct.
9. corner—a turret or arbor on the roof.
brawling—or contentious.
wide house—literally, "house of fellowship," large enough for several families.
10. So strongly does he desire to do evil (Ps 10:3; Ec 8:11), that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.
11. (Compare Pr 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.
12. (Compare Ps 37:35-38; 73:17, 20).
house—family or interests.
overthroweth—either supply "God" (compare Pr 10:24), or the word is used impersonally.
13. The principles of retribution, often taught (compare Ps 18:26; Mt 7:1-12).
14. The effect of bribery (Pr 17:23) is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish his motives made known.
15. But the just love right and need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a time happy in concealing corruption.
16. the way of understanding—(Compare Pr 12:26; 14:22).
remain—that is, rest as at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.
17. Costly luxuries impoverish.
18. (Compare Pr 11:8). By suffering what they had devised for the righteous, or brought on them, the wicked became their ransom, in the usual sense of substitutes (compare Jos 7:26; Es 7:9).
19. (Compare Pr 21:9).
wilderness—pasture, though uninhabitable ground (Ps 65:12).
20. The wise, by diligence and care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools
spend—literally, "swallow it up," greedily.
21. He who tries to act justly and kindly (Ps 34:14) will prosper and obtain justice and honor.
22. "Wisdom is better than strength" (Ec 7:19; 9:15).
strength … thereof—that in which they confide.
23. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).
24. The reproachful name is deserved by those who treat others with anger and contempt.
25. desire—that is, of ease and idleness brings him to starvation.
26. The sin of covetousness marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous.
27. God regards the heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency.
wicked mind—or, "design" (Pr 1:4).
28. (Compare Pr 19:5).
that heareth—or heeds instruction, and so grows wise.
speaketh constantly—or sincerely (compare Hab 1:5), and hence is believed (Pr 12:19; Jas 1:19).
29. hardeneth his face—is obstinate.
directeth … way—considers it, and acts advisedly.
30, 31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (Pr 19:21; Ps 20:7; 33:17).