Bible for Soul
Book 20 of 66 · Poetry & Wisdom

ProverbsChapter 21 · humanity and family and justice and righteousness

31 verses3 sections3 min readWisdomComplete KJV text

Proverbs 21 contains 31 verses in the King James Version. This page presents the complete chapter, a section-by-section outline, and direct links to every verse. Its recurring subjects include humanity and family, justice and righteousness, and wisdom.

Chapter at a glance

What is in Proverbs 21?

The chapter opens, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” It closes in verse 31, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.” The outline below follows the text in order.

Primary themes
humanity and familyjustice and righteousnesswisdom
Passage
Proverbs 21:1–31
Reading time
About 3 minutes · 502 words
Section-by-section outline

Proverbs 21 outline

Read the full chapter
  1. Verses 1–11

    Justice and Righteousness · Humanity and Family

    The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

  2. Verses 12–22

    Humanity and Family · Justice and Righteousness

    The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

  3. Verses 23–31

    Help and Protection · Wisdom

    Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

King James Version · complete chapter

Proverbs 21 KJV

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. 2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. 3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. 5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. 6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. 7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. 8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. 9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. 10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. 11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. 13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. 14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. 15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. 16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. 17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. 18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. 19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. 20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. 21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. 22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. 25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. 26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. 27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. 29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. 30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. 31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.