Proverbs – Chapter 21

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

"As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it." — so begins Proverbs 21. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: justice and care for the poor and sin and divine judgment. Read slowly, this chapter rewards the kind of prayerful attention the Church calls lectio divina.

1As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.

2Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.

3To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.

4Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.

5The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.

6He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.

7The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.

8The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.

9It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.

11When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.

12The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.

13He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard.

14A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom, the greatest wrath.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.

16A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.

17He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.

18The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.

19It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.

20There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.

21He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.

22The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.

24The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.

25Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.

26He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.

27The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.

28A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.

29The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.

30There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.

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

Important Verses in Proverbs 21

As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.

Proverbs 21:1

He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.

Proverbs 21:17

He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.

Proverbs 21:21

There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.

Proverbs 21:30

Historical Context

Proverbs belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the young and all who seek to live skillfully before God. Chapter 21 of 31 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a wisdom instruction on how to live before God in ordinary circumstances with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter begins: "As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn…" It concludes: "The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety. " In terms of historical background, Proverbs distills practical wisdom for daily life—speech, work, friendship, family, money—under one master principle: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom' (Prov 9:10). Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

Who Wrote It

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'

When It Was Written

Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC

Catholic Commentary

The sage addresses concrete situations—speech, work, relationships, and fear of the Lord. A pivotal line is verse 1: "As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it." The passage repeatedly touches on justice and care for the poor.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of wisdom for daily living. Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2632).

The moral and spiritual import remains timely: God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.. St. Jerome insisted that ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ; this chapter offers material for meditation, examination of conscience, and deeper love of God.

Main Teachings

  • God defends the poor and the oppressed, and calls His people to act with justice.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.
  • True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Proverbs Chapter 21 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Christ is the Wisdom of God incarnate (CIC 721). The passage calls believers to grasp that The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

May your reading of Proverbs Chapter 21 become true lectio divina: read the words, meditate on their meaning, respond in prayer, and rest in God's presence. Ask the Holy Spirit to show how The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom applies to your life today.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Proverbs Chapter 21 about?

Proverbs 21 contains 31 verses. It opens with "As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn…" and closes with "The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety. ". The book as a whole is wisdom sayings and instructions.

What is a key verse in Proverbs 21?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who wrote Proverbs and when?

Principally Solomon; also Agur, Lemuel, and 'the wise'. Core collections from Solomon's era (10th century BC); final form by the 5th century BC.

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