# Proverbs 21 (New King James Version)
The Lord Considers the Heart

##### Chapter 21
###### 1 The king's heart _is_ in the hand of the Lord,  
_Like_ the rivers of water;  
He turns it wherever He wishes.

###### 2 Every way of a man _is_ right in his own eyes,  
But the Lord weighs the hearts.

###### 3 To do righteousness and justice  
_Is_ more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

###### 4 A haughty look, a proud heart,  
_And_ the plowing of the wicked _are_ sin.

###### 5 The plans of the diligent _lead_ surely to plenty,  
But _those of_ everyone _who is_ hasty, surely to poverty.

###### 6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue  
_Is_ the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.

###### 7 The violence of the wicked will destroy them,  
Because they refuse to do justice.

###### 8 The way of a guilty man _is_ perverse;  
But _as for_ the pure, his work _is_ right.

###### 9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,  
Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.

###### 10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;  
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

###### 11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;  
But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

###### 12 The righteous _God_ wisely considers the house of the wicked,  
Overthrowing the wicked for _their_ wickedness.

###### 13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor  
Will also cry himself and not be heard.

###### 14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,  
And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath.

###### 15 _It is_ a joy for the just to do justice,  
But destruction _will come_ to the workers of iniquity.

###### 16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding  
Will rest in the assembly of the dead.

###### 17 He who loves pleasure _will be_ a poor man;  
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

###### 18 The wicked _shall be_ a ransom for the righteous,  
And the unfaithful for the upright.

###### 19 Better to dwell in the wilderness,  
Than with a contentious and angry woman.

###### 20 _There is_ desirable treasure,  
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,  
But a foolish man squanders it.

###### 21 He who follows righteousness and mercy  
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

###### 22 A wise _man_ scales the city of the mighty,  
And brings down the trusted stronghold.

###### 23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue  
Keeps his soul from troubles.

###### 24 A proud _and_ haughty _man_--"Scoffer" _is_ his name;  
He acts with arrogant pride.

###### 25 The desire of the lazy _man_ kills him,  
For his hands refuse to labor.  

###### 26 He covets greedily all day long,  
But the righteous gives and does not spare.

###### 27 The sacrifice of the wicked _is_ an abomination;  
How much more _when_ he brings it with wicked intent!

###### 28 A false witness shall perish,  
But the man who hears _him_ will speak endlessly.

###### 29 A wicked man hardens his face,  
But _as for_ the upright, he establishes his way.

###### 30 _There is_ no wisdom or understanding  
Or counsel against the Lord.

###### 31 The horse _is_ prepared for the day of battle,  
But deliverance _is_ of the Lord.