Proverbs 21 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
During the reign of King Solomon (~970-930 BC)
Location
Jerusalem, Kingdom of Israel
Audience
The people of Israel, particularly young men, court officials, and leaders
Situation
Proverbs 21 explores themes of divine sovereignty over kings, the futility of human scheming against Yahweh, justice versus sacrifice, and the consequences of laziness and greed.
Key Background
The chapter opens with the striking image of Yahweh directing the king's heart like irrigation channels — a powerful statement of divine sovereignty that would resonate in agricultural Israel. Several proverbs contrast outward religious observance with genuine justice and righteousness (v.3,27), reflecting the prophetic tradition that ritual without ethics is meaningless. The military proverb about horses being prepared but victory coming from Yahweh (v.31) connects to Deuteronomy's warnings against trusting in military strength.
A king's is like a of in Yahweh's hand -- he directs it wherever he chooses.
Everyone thinks their own path is right, but Yahweh what's really in the
Doing what is and just matters more to Yahweh than any
and a proud heart -- the that guides the leads them nowhere good.
Careful planning by the leads to abundance, but everyone who ends up with less.
A fortune built on lies is a -- a for those who chase it.
The violence of the corrupt them because they refuse to do what is right.
The path of the is but the conduct of the innocent is straight.
Better to live in a of the than share a house with a woman.
The corrupt doing harm -- they show no mercy, not even to their
When a gets punished, the learn wisdom; when a wise person is taught, they gain knowledge.
The Just watches over the house of the corrupt and brings them down to
Whoever shuts their ears to the of the will themselves out and not be answered.
A calms anger, and a hidden soothes intense fury.
When is done, it brings joy to the upright and to those who do wrong.
Whoever wanders from the path of will end up among the
Whoever loves will end up poor; whoever loves wine and will never get rich.
The corrupt become a for the upright, and the take the place of the honest.
Better to live in the than with a quarrelsome and woman.
A person's home has fine food and oil stored up, but a everything they have.
Whoever pursues what is and will find justice, and honor.
A person can scale a city defended by warriors and topple the they trust in.
Whoever their mouth and tongue keeps themselves out of
The proud and arrogant -- is their name -- act with
The of the will kill them, because their hands refuse to work.
All day long the lazy crave and crave, but the give
The of the corrupt is already -- how much worse when they bring it with
A will be destroyed, but the person who actually listens will speak what
A corrupt person puts on a but the upright about how they live.
No no no can stand against
The is prepared for the day of battle, but belongs to