The King's Heart in the Lord's Hand
Proverbs 21
This chapter teaches that the king's heart is turned by the Lord as easily as a stream of water, and that doing justice and speaking truth please God more than sacrifice. It repeats the warning that it is better to live alone in a corner or in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome woman, and closes by noting that though a horse is prepared for battle, victory belongs to the Lord.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonTHE heart of a king is in the hand of God; like a canal of water, He turneth it whithersoever He pleaseth.
BrentonAs a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.
GreekὭσπερ ὁρμὴ ὕδατος, οὕτως καρδία βασιλέως ἐν χειρὶ Θεοῦ, οὗ ἐὰν θέλων νεῦσαι ἐκεῖ ἔκλινεν αὐτήν.
KJVThe king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
JPSThe king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
2
ThomsonEvery man appeareth righteous in his own eyes: but the Lord directeth hearts.
BrentonEvery man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
GreekΠᾶς ἀνὴρ φαίνεται ἑαυτῷ δίκαιος, κατευθύνει δὲ καρδίας Κύριος.
KJVEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
JPSEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the hearts.
3
ThomsonTo do justice and to adhere to truth are more acceptable to God than the blood of victims.
BrentonTo do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
GreekΠοιεῖν δίκαια καὶ ἀληθεύειν, ἀρεστὰ παρὰ Θεῷ μᾶλλον ἢ θυσιῶν αἷμα.
KJV—
JPS—
4
ThomsonA high-minded man is contentious and stubborn: but sin is the lamp of the wicked.
BrentonA high-minded man is stout-hearted in his pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
GreekΜεγαλόφρων ἐν ὕβρει θρασυκάρδιος, λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἁμαρτία.
KJVAn high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
JPS—
6
ThomsonHe who getteth treasures by a lying tongue, pursueth vanity to the snares of death.
BrentonHe that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity on to the snares of death.
GreekὉ ἐνεργῶν θησαυρίσματα γλώσσῃ ψευδεῖ, μάταια διώκει ἐπὶ παγίδας θανάτου.
KJVThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
JPSThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
7
ThomsonDestruction shall lodge with the wicked because they refuse to do justice.
BrentonDestruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
GreekὌλεθρος ἀσεβέσιν ἐπιξενωθήσεται, οὐ γὰρ βούλονται πράσσειν τὰ δίκαια.
KJV—
JPSThe violence of the wicked shall drag them away; Because they refuse to do justly.
8
ThomsonTo the perverse God sendeth perverted ways; for His works are pure and right.
BrentonTo the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.
GreekΠρὸς τοὺς σκολιοὺς σκολιὰς ὁδοὺς ἀποστέλλει ὁ Θεὸς, ἁγνὰ γὰρ καὶ ὀρθὰ τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.
KJVThe way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
JPSThe way of man is froward and strange; But as for the pure, his work is right.
9
ThomsonIt is better to dwell in a corner in the open air than in apartments plastered with injustice, and in a house which is not clean.
BrentonIt is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
GreekΚρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐπὶ γωνίας ὑπαίθρου, ἢ ἐν κεκονιαμένοις μετὰ ἀδικίας καὶ ἐν οἴκῳ κοινῷ.
KJVIt is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
JPSIt is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
10
ThomsonThe soul of the wicked will not be pitied by any man.
BrentonThe soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
GreekΨυχὴ ἀσεβοῦς οὐκ ἐλεηθήσεται ὑπʼ οὐδενὸς τῶν ἀνθρώπων.
KJV—
JPS—
11
ThomsonWhen a profligate is punished, the innocent become more cautious; and the sensible wise man will gain knowledge.
BrentonWhen an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
GreekΖημιουμένου ἀκολάστου πανουργότερος γίνεται ὁ ἄκακος, συνιῶν δὲ σοφὸς δέξεται γνῶσιν.
KJVWhen the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
JPSWhen the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12
ThomsonA just man discerneth the hearts of the wicked, and despiseth the wicked for their wickedness.
BrentonA righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
GreekΣυνιεῖ δίκαιος καρδίας ἀσεβῶν, καὶ φαυλίζει ἀσεβεῖς ἐν κακοῖς.
KJVThe righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
JPS—
13
ThomsonHe who stoppeth his ears that he may not hear the distressed shall himself cry, and there shall be none to answer.
BrentonHe that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear him.
GreekὋς φράσσει τὰ ὦτα αὐτοῦ τοῦ μὴ ἐπακοῦσαι ἀσθενοῦς, καὶ αὐτὸς ἐπικαλέσεται καὶ οὐκ ἔσται ὁ εἰσακούων.
KJVWhoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
JPSWhoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14
ThomsonA gift given secretly pacifieth resentments: but he who is sparing of gifts exciteth strong wrath.
BrentonA secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
GreekΔόσις λάθριος ἀνατρέπει ὀργάς, δώρων δὲ ὁ φειδόμενος θυμὸν ἐγείρει ἰσχυρόν.
KJVA gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
JPSA gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15
ThomsonIt is the joy of the righteous to execute judgment: but in the view of the wicked a holy man is unclean.
BrentonIt is the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers.
GreekΕὐφροσύνη δικαίων ποιεῖν κρίμα, ὅσιος δὲ ἀκάθαρτος παρὰ κακούργοις.
KJVIt is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
JPSTo do justly is joy to the righteous, But ruin to the workers of iniquity.
16
ThomsonA man who wandereth from the path of justice, shall go to rest among the congregation of giants.
BrentonA man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
GreekἈνὴρ πλανώμενος ἐξ ὁδοῦ δικαιοσύνης, ἐν συναγωγῇ γιγάντων ἀναπαύσεται.
KJVThe man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
JPSThe man that strayeth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
17
ThomsonA needy man loveth pleasure. He wisheth to have wine and oil for his riches:
BrentonA poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
GreekἈνὴρ ἐνδεὴς ἀγαπᾷ εὐφροσύνην, φιλῶν οἶνον καὶ ἔλαιον εἰς πλοῦτον·
KJVHe that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
JPSHe that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18
Thomsonand a transgressor wisheth to be acquitted as a righteous man.
Brentonand a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
GreekΠερικάθαρμα δὲ δικαίου ἄνομος.
KJVThe wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
JPS—
19
ThomsonIt is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome, clamorous and passionate wife.
BrentonIt is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
GreekΚρεῖσσον οἰκεῖν ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ, ἢ μετὰ γυναικὸς μαχίμου καὶ γλωσσώδους καὶ καὶ ὀργίλου.
KJVIt is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
JPSIt is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20
ThomsonA desirable treasure will rest in the mouth of the wise: but men who are foolish will swallow it.
BrentonA desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
GreekΘησαυρὸς ἐπιθυμητὸς ἀναπαύσεται ἐπὶ στόματος σοφοῦ, ἄφρονες δὲ ἄνδρες καταπίονται αὐτόν.
KJVThere is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
JPSThere is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21
ThomsonThe way of justice and mercy will lead to life and glory.
BrentonThe way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
GreekὉδὸς δικαιοσύνης καὶ ἐλεημοσύνης εὑρήσει ζωὴν καὶ δόξαν.
KJVHe that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
JPSHe that followeth after righteousness and mercy Findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
22
ThomsonA wise man hath scaled strong cities and demolished fortifications in which the wicked trusted.
BrentonA wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
GreekΠόλεις ὀχυρὰς ἐπέβη σοφὸς, καὶ καθεῖλε τὸ ὀχύρωμα ἐφʼ ᾧ ἐπεποίθεισαν οἱ ἀσεβεῖς.
KJV—
JPS—
23
ThomsonHe who guardeth his mouth and tongue keepeth his soul from trouble.
BrentonHe that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
GreekὋς φυλάσσει τὸ στόμα αὐτοῦ καὶ τὴν γλῶσσαν, διατηρεῖ ἐκ θλίψεως τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ.
KJVWhoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
JPSWhoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24
ThomsonHe who is bold, self-willed, and boastful is called a pest and he who harboureth mischief is called a transgressor.
BrentonA bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
GreekΘρασὺς καὶ αὐθάδης καὶ ἀλαζὼν λοιμὸς καλεῖται, ὃς δὲ μνησικακεῖ παράνομος.
KJV—
JPS—
25
ThomsonWishing killeth the slothful; for his hands do not choose to labour.
BrentonDesires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
GreekἘπιθυμίαι ὀκνηρὸν ἀποκτείνουσιν, οὐ γὰρ προαιροῦνται αἱ χεῖρες αὐτοῦ ποιεῖν τι.
KJV—
JPS—
26
ThomsonAll the day long a wicked man indulgeth wicked desires; but the righteous unsparingly exerciseth pity and compassion.
BrentonAn ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
GreekἈσεβὴς ἐπιθυμεῖ ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐπιθυμίας κακὰς, ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐλεᾷ καὶ οἰκτείρει ἀφειδῶς.
KJVHe coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
JPSThere is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27
ThomsonThe sacrifices of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, because they offer them unrighteously.
BrentonThe sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
GreekΘυσίαι ἀσεβῶν βδέλυγμα Κυρίῳ, καὶ γὰρ παρανόμως προσφέρουσιν αὐτάς.
KJV—
JPS—
28
ThomsonA false witness shall perish; but a man who is a witness will speak guardedly.
BrentonA false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
GreekΜάρτυς ψευδὴς ἀπολεῖται, ἀνὴρ δὲ ὑπήκοος φυλασσόμενος λαλήσει.
KJVA false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
JPSA false witness shall perish; But the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
29
ThomsonA wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but the upright will himself consider his ways.
BrentonAn ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
GreekἈσεβὴς ἀνὴρ ἀναιδῶς ὑφίσταται προσώπῳ, ὁ δὲ εὐθὺς αὐτὸς συνιεῖ τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτοῦ.
KJVA wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
JPSA wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
30
ThomsonThere is no wisdom, there is no fortitude, no counsel in the wicked.
BrentonThere is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
GreekΟὐκ ἔστι σοφία, οὐκ ἔστιν ἀνδρεία, οὐκ ἔστι βουλὴ πρὸς τὸν ἀσεβῆ.
KJVThere is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
JPSThere is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the LORD.
31
ThomsonA horse is provided for the day of battle: but help cometh from the Lord.
BrentonA horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
GreekἽππος ἑτοιμάζεται εἰς ἡμέραν πολέμου, παρὰ δὲ Κυρίου ἡ βοήθεια.
KJVThe horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
JPSThe horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of the LORD.