{"meta":{"source":"Prime Bible","sourceUrl":"https://primebible.com","license":"Public domain (translation text); see citation policy at /citation-policy","organization":"501(c)(3) nonprofit — EIN 41-2531951","canonicalUrl":"https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/21","llmTxt":"https://primebible.com/llms.txt","generatedAt":"2026-05-30T20:19:03.491Z"},"reference":{"translation":"ERV","book":"Proverbs","bookSlug":"proverbs","chapter":21,"testament":"OLD"},"navigation":{"previousChapter":20,"nextChapter":22,"totalChapters":31,"totalVerses":31},"verses":[{"verseNumber":1,"text":"The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will."},{"verseNumber":2,"text":"Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts."},{"verseNumber":3,"text":"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."},{"verseNumber":4,"text":"An high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin."},{"verseNumber":5,"text":"The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want."},{"verseNumber":6,"text":"The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death."},{"verseNumber":7,"text":"The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment."},{"verseNumber":8,"text":"The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right."},{"verseNumber":9,"text":"It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house."},{"verseNumber":10,"text":"The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes."},{"verseNumber":11,"text":"When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge."},{"verseNumber":12,"text":"The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; how the wicked are overthrown to their ruin."},{"verseNumber":13,"text":"Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard."},{"verseNumber":14,"text":"A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath."},{"verseNumber":15,"text":"It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity."},{"verseNumber":16,"text":"The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead."},{"verseNumber":17,"text":"He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich."},{"verseNumber":18,"text":"The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright."},{"verseNumber":19,"text":"It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman."},{"verseNumber":20,"text":"There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up."},{"verseNumber":21,"text":"He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour."},{"verseNumber":22,"text":"A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof."},{"verseNumber":23,"text":"Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."},{"verseNumber":24,"text":"The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride."},{"verseNumber":25,"text":"The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour."},{"verseNumber":26,"text":"There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not."},{"verseNumber":27,"text":"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!"},{"verseNumber":28,"text":"A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged."},{"verseNumber":29,"text":"A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways."},{"verseNumber":30,"text":"There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD."},{"verseNumber":31,"text":"The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,"}],"citation":{"inline":"Proverbs 21 (ERV)","markdown":"[Proverbs 21](https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/21)","sbl":"Prime Bible. *The Bible.* ERV. https://primebible.com/erv/proverbs/21 (accessed 2026-05-30)."}}