Proverbs 21

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Proverbs 21

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

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

Notes

Cross Reference

Concordance

Commentary

Rashi

Verse 2

<html>Man’s every way is straight in his own eyes, but the Lord counts Heb. ותכן.</html>

Verse 4

<html>Haughty eyes A haughty spirit. and unlimited lust The desire to satisfy the lusts of his heart; that is the tillage of the wicked. Their “plowing” and their thoughts is their sin.</html>

Verse 5

<html>The plans of a diligent man Heb. חרוץ, an honest man who walks in truth and according to the established judgment. lead only to advantage They come to prosperity and profit. whereas every hasty one One who forces the time.</html>

Verse 6

<html>Gathering treasures to increase wealth. with a lying tongue is like a driven vapor, etc. They are snares of death (seekers of death) for him.</html>

Verse 7

<html>The plunder of the wicked frightens them Heb. יגורם, [like] יגור אותם.</html>

Verse 8

<html>A man’s way is changeable and he is strange A man who is strange, turning away from the commandment—his way is changeable.</html>

Verse 9

<html>and the house of a friend That he enters his friend’s house to converse with his wife. And the Midrash Aggadah states: He prophesied that the Shechinah would ultimately leave Israel, who is like a quarrelsome wife. and the house of a friend A house in which they associate friends with the Holy One, blessed be He; for example, the image that Manasseh erected in the Temple of the Lord.</html>

Verse 11

<html>When a scorner is punished, a fool gains wisdom Through the chastisements of scorners, fools gain wisdom and return [to God] in repentance.</html>

Verse 12

<html>The Righteous One considers The Righteous One of the world sets His heart to destroy the house of the wicked, e.g. the remembrance of Amalek.</html>

Verse 14

<html>A gift in secret Charity. and a bribe in the pocket This too refers to charity. It will appease even strong wrath.</html>

Verse 15

<html>It is a joy for a righteous man to do judgment It is a joy for the Holy One, blessed be He, to inflict judgment upon the righteous in order to bestow upon them the life of the world to come, for the Holy One, blessed be He, brings pains upon them in order that they merit the world to come. In this manner, it is expounded in Midrash Psalms (3:1). and a ruin It is [a ruin] for those who commit violence Because they do not put their hearts to repent and the pains do not avail them, but they suffer to no avail.</html>

Verse 16

<html>A man who strays from the way of understanding From the Torah. in the congregation of the shades in the congregation of Gehinnom.</html>

Verse 17

<html>shall be a poor man He who loves the joy of always banqueting.</html>

Verse 18

<html>A wicked man shall be ransom for a righteous man, and a treacherous one instead of the upright A righteous man is rescued, and a wicked man comes in his stead (above 11:8), such as Mordecai and Haman.</html>

Verse 19

<html>It is better to dwell in a desert land This too was stated regarding the withdrawal of the Shechinah.</html>

Verse 20

<html>but man’s foolishness Heb. וכסיל אדם foolishness of a man.</html>

Verse 22

<html>A wise man ascended to a city of mighty men This refers to Moses, our teacher, who went up among the angels, who are mighty in strength. (and brought down, etc. The Torah.)</html>

Verse 24

<html>haughty Heb. יהיר, one who is haughty; he will ultimately become a scorner, for he does not care to hear reproof.</html>

Verse 26

<html>but the righteous gives all the necessities of his house, for the Holy One, blessed be He, prepares them for him.</html>

Verse 27

<html>how much more if he brings it with plans of wickedness! How much more if he brings it to be wicked and with evil counsel, such as the sacrifices of Balaam and Balak, who brought them only to curse Israel.</html>

Verse 28

<html>but an obedient man who obeys what is written in the Torah: “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” forever Always.</html>

Verse 29

<html>A wicked man shows his brazenness in his anger A wicked man shows his brazenness at the time of his anger. in his anger Heb. בפניו, an expression of anger.</html>

Verse 30

<html>There is neither wisdom, etc. No wise or understanding man is of any importance against the Lord. Wherever there is a desecration of the Name, we do not pay regard to a teacher.</html>

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Table of Contents

Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21

Notes

Cross Reference

Concordance

Commentary

Rashi

Verse 2

Verse 4

Verse 5

Verse 6

Verse 7

Verse 8

Verse 9

Verse 11

Verse 12

Verse 14

Verse 15

Verse 16

Verse 17

Verse 18

Verse 19

Verse 20

Verse 22

Verse 24

Verse 26

Verse 27

Verse 28

Verse 29

Verse 30