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Summary

Proverbs 21:1–8 – God Governs Hearts and Outcomes

What happens: The Lord turns the king’s heart like water channels. People think their ways are right, but God weighs hearts. Doing righteousness and justice pleases God more than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart are sin. The diligent plan leads to abundance; haste leads to poverty. The wicked’s sacrifice is detestable. The guilty walk crooked paths, but the pure act uprightly.

What it means: God is sovereign over leaders and motives, not only actions. He values justice from the heart more than religious performance. Pride blinds judgment, while humility opens the way to righteousness. Wisdom works steadily because God built the world to reward honest effort.

Proverbs 21:9–19 – Quarrels, Desires, and True Righteousness

What happens: Better to live on a housetop or in a desert than with a quarrelsome wife. The wicked crave evil and show no mercy; the righteous consider the poor. Justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to evildoers. Pleasure lovers become poor. It is better to live in a humble place with peace than in wealth with strife.

What it means: Peace in the home reflects God’s design and is worth more than luxury. Compassion and justice show God’s character in everyday life. Disordered desires ruin people because sin misdirects the heart. Wisdom chooses contentment and righteousness over noisy comfort.

Proverbs 21:20–28 – Speech, Prudence, and Divine Justice

What happens: The wise store precious treasure, but fools devour it. Whoever pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life and honor. The mighty fall before wisdom. Guarded speech and self-control preserve life. False witnesses perish; truthful words endure.

What it means: Stewardship reflects trust in God’s provision. Covenant love and righteousness lead to the good life because they align with God’s ways. Self-control in words and desires protects from ruin. God’s justice upholds truth and cuts down deceit.

Proverbs 21:29–31 – Courage, Caution, and the Lord’s Victory

What happens: The wicked put on a bold face, but the upright consider their way. No wisdom or strength stands against the Lord. The horse is prepared for battle, but victory belongs to the Lord.

What it means: Appearances of confidence cannot replace a clean conscience. Wisdom plans well yet rests in God’s rule. God alone grants success, showing His power and faithfulness. Trust looks past means to the Lord who saves.

Application

  • Seek heart-level righteousness, not mere religious acts.
  • Pursue peace in the home through humility and gentle speech.
  • Plan diligently and speak carefully, while trusting God for outcomes.

Bible

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.

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