Proverbs / Divine Sovereignty, Justice, and the King's Role

Divine Sovereignty, Justice, and the King's Role

Proverbs 21:1-31

Chapter 21

¹ The channels of waters are the heart of a king in the hand of the LORD; they turn it over all that he delights in. ² Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs hearts. ³ To do righteousness and justice is more pleasing to the LORD than sacrifice. ⁴ Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the lamp of the wicked, sin. ⁵ The thoughts of the diligent lead only to plenty, and every hasty one leads only to lack. ⁶ Working treasures by a lying tongue—a vapor driven away from seekers of death. ⁷ The violence of the wicked will sojourn with them, for they refuse to do justice. ⁸ The way of a man is crooked and strange, but his deed is pure and straight. ⁹ It is better to sit on a corner of the roof than with a contentious wife in a house of companionship. ¹⁰ The soul of a wicked man—her/it—evil; he will not show grace in his eyes to his friend. ¹¹ When punishing a scoffer, the naive becomes skilled; and when instructing the skilled, the wise takes knowledge. ¹² The righteous one understands the house of the wicked; he subverts the wicked to evil. ¹³ He who stops up his ear from the cry of the poor—he also will call and not be answered. ¹⁴ A gift in secret will cover anger, and a bribe in the bosom of fierce wrath. ¹⁵ Joy to the righteous is doing justice, and terror to workers of iniquity. ¹⁶ A man who strays from the way of wisdom will rest in the assembly of Rephaim. ¹⁷ A man of lack who loves joy, who loves wine and oil, will not be enriched. ¹⁸ The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous is under the upright. ¹⁹ It is better to dwell in a land of wilderness than with a woman of strifes and anger. ²⁰ A treasury of comfort and oil in the dwelling of the skilled artisan, but the foolish man swallows it. ²¹ He who pursues righteousness and steadfast love will find life, righteousness, and glory. ²² A city of mighty ones—a wise one has ascended and brought down the strength trusted in it. ²³ He who guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from troubles. ²⁴ Proud, arrogant scoffer—his name is one who does so in an outburst of presumptuous rebellion. ²⁵ The desire of the sluggard will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. ²⁶ All day he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not spare. ²⁷ The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, even when he brings it with a purpose. ²⁸ A lying witness will perish, but a man who listens will speak into eternity. ²⁹ A wicked man is bold in his face, but the upright discerns his way. ³⁰ There is no wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel before the LORD. ³¹ A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but salvation belongs to the LORD.