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DAY 21 - CHAPTER 21
The Lord Considers the Heart
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the [a]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 [b]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
[c]Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will [d]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of [e]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 [f]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 [g]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 [h]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 [i]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.
This Post Has One Comment
In Proverb 21, the wisdom God in Solomon inform us that people’s heart or people control is in the hand of God and God has the capacity to turn or direct it anywhere he like. We most times justify our actions as being right and God checked our conscience.
The demand of God from us are fairplay and equality. Looking down on others and pride of heart are offences. People who are hardworking only think of how to increase, but those who are impatient only to want.
Telling lies to increase will not bring enduring profit in the end. It is better to have one’s wife in a small place peacefully than wealth and fight all day with a woman. Bad people like to do bad and their fellow human will not no peace. A wise person will received instruction. When we fail to help others , we will also cryand no one will hear us.
Backslider may not be able to come back to the right path. Gift/bribe are instrument of making people anger to come down. When one likes to enjoy over much it will make one poor at the end. Good to be in the place of nothing than with a troublesome woman in plenty. Good things are much in the place of an upright person but stupid people use it up. Whatever we work and live for is what we are going to have in the end. In wisdom can one defend his /her enemies. Keeping quiet helps us avoid troubles. Lazy People only wants but will kept on being at the level of want without getting. The prayer of a bad person is hateful to God , even when he comes with bad mind.
Bad people react all time negatively to issue. No one can fight God. We may put all things together,but God only protect one.