Proverbs 21

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD , as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hand, heart, king’s. Its relationship to verses 2 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” Naming Every keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.” The line’s distinctive content terms include acceptable, judgment, justice. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” The line’s distinctive content terms include heart, high, look. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.” The line’s distinctive content terms include death, getting, lying. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.” The line’s distinctive content terms include froward, pure, right. Its relationship to verses 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.” The line’s distinctive content terms include better, brawling, corner. Its relationship to verses 10 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.” The line’s distinctive content terms include desireth, evil, eyes. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.” The line’s distinctive content terms include wise, instructed, knowledge. Its relationship to verses 10 and 12 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.” The line’s distinctive content terms include anger, bosom, gift. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.” The line’s distinctive content terms include angry, better, contentious. Its relationship to verses 18 and 20 shows what work it does in this passage.

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” The line’s distinctive content terms include desired, dwelling, foolish. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” The line’s distinctive content terms include righteousness, findeth, followeth. Its relationship to verses 20 and 22 shows what work it does in this passage.

“A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.” The line’s distinctive content terms include casteth, city, confidence. Its relationship to verses 21 and 23 shows what work it does in this passage.

“Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.” Naming Whoso keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” Naming Proud keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.” The line’s distinctive content terms include desire, hands, killeth. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.” The line’s distinctive content terms include coveteth, giveth, greedily. Its relationship to verses 25 and 27 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.” The line’s distinctive content terms include directeth, face, hardeneth. Its relationship to verses 28 and 30 shows what work it does in this passage.

“There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include counsel, LORD, understanding. Its relationship to verses 29 and 31 shows what work it does in this passage.

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD .” The line’s distinctive content terms include battle, horse, LORD. Its relationship to verses 30 shows what work it does in this passage.