1The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah; like rivers of water, He turns it wherever He pleases. 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah ponders the hearts. 3With Jehovah, to do righteousness and justice is to be chosen over sacrifice. 4A haughty look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin. 5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but the thoughts of everyone who is hasty only to poverty. 6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity driven about by those who seek death. 7The violence of the wicked shall destroy them, because they refuse to do justice. 8The way of a guilty man is perverted; but as for the pure, his work is right. 9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman. 10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. 11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. 12The righteous wisely considers the house of the wicked, subverting the wicked for their evil. 13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 14A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. 15It is joy to the just to do justice, but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the spirits of the dead. 17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. 19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and angry woman. 20There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man squanders it. 21He who follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor. 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the strength of its refuge. 23Whoever watches his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. 24Proud, haughty scorner is his name, who acts with arrogant pride. 25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands have refused to work. 26He covets greedily all day long, but the righteous gives and spares not. 27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent! 28A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears speaks enduringly. 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright establishes his way. 30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah. 31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance is from Jehovah.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 (Pro. 21:1-31)
rivers--irrigating channels (
Ps 1:3), whose course was easily turned (compare
Deut 11:10). God disposes even kings as He pleases (
Pro 16:9;
Ps 33:15).
2 (Compare
Pro 14:2; Pro. 16:2-25).
3 (Compare
Ps 50:7-
Ps 50:15;
Isa 1:11,
Isa 1:17).
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 (
Pro 20:20); hence joy or delight.
5 The contrast is between steady industry and rashness (compare
Pro 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
Pro 20:17-
Pro 20:21;
Ps 62:10). Such gettings are unsatisfactory.
them . . . death--act as if they did (
Pro 8:36;
Pro 17:19).
7 robbery--or, "destruction," especially oppression, of which they are authors.
shall destroy--literally, "cut with a saw" (
1Kgs 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;
Eccl 8:11), that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.
11 (Compare
Pro 19:25). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment, the wise learn by teaching.
12 (Compare
Ps 37:35-
Ps 37:38;
Ps 73:17,
Ps 73:20).
house--family or interests.
overthroweth--either supply "God" (compare
Pro 10:24), or the word is used impersonally.
13 The principles of retribution, often taught (compare
Ps 18:26;
Matt 7:1-
Matt 7:12).
14 The effect of bribery (
Pro 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
Pro 12:26;
Pro 14:22).
remain--that is, rest as at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.
17 Costly luxuries impoverish.
18 (Compare
Pro 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
Josh 7:26;
Esth 7:9).
19 (Compare
Pro 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" (
Eccl 7:19;
Eccl 9:15).
strength . . . thereof--that in which they confide.
23 (Compare
Pro 13:2-
Pro 13:3;
Jas 3:6-
Jas 3:10).
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" (
Pro 1:4).
28 (Compare
Pro 19:5).
that heareth--or heeds instruction, and so grows wise.
speaketh constantly--or sincerely (compare
Hab 1:5), and hence is believed (
Pro 12:19;
Jas 1:19).
29 hardeneth his face--is obstinate.
directeth . . . way--considers it, and acts advisedly.
30 Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (
Pro 19:21;
Ps 20:7;
Ps 33:17).