16 Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts.
17 You're addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.
18 What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs; the plotter gets it in the end.
19 Better to live in a tent in the wild than with a cross and petulant spouse.
20 Valuables are safe in a wise person's home; fools put it all out for yard sales.
21 Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself - glorious life!
22 One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers - their trusted defenses fell to pieces!
23 Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief.
24 You know their names - Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer - intemperate hotheads, every one.
25 Lazy people finally die of hunger because they won't get up and go to work. 26 Sinners are always wanting what they don't have; the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it's even worse when they use it to get ahead.
28 A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps.
30 Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of God. 31 Do your best, prepare for the worst - then trust God to bring victory.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16-31
Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
(Read Proverbs 21:16)
Of all wanderers in the ways of sin, those are in the most dangerous condition who turn aside into the ways of darkness. Yet there is hope even for them in the all-sufficient Saviour; but let them flee to him without delay.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:17
(Read Proverbs 21:17)
A life of worldly pleasure brings ruin on men.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:18
(Read Proverbs 21:18)
The righteous is often delivered out of trouble, and the wicked comes in his stead, and so seems as a ransom for him.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:19
(Read Proverbs 21:19)
Unbridled passions spoil the comfort of all relations.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:20
(Read Proverbs 21:20)
The plenty obtained by prudence, industry, and frugality, is desirable. But the foolish misspend what they have upon their lusts.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:21
(Read Proverbs 21:21)
True repentance and faith will lead him that relies on the mercy of God in Christ, to follow after righteousness and mercy in his own conduct.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:22
(Read Proverbs 21:22)
Those that have wisdom, often do great things, even against those confident of their strength.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:23
(Read Proverbs 21:23)
It is our great concern to keep our souls from being entangled and disquieted.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:24
(Read Proverbs 21:24)
Pride and haughtiness make men passionate; such continually deal in wrath, as if it were their trade to be angry.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:25-26
(Read Proverbs 21:25-26)
Here is the misery of the slothful; their hands refuse to labour in an honest calling, by which they might get an honest livelihood; yet their hearts cease not to covet riches, pleasures, and honours, which cannot be obtained without labour. But the righteous and industrious have their desires satisfied.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:27
(Read Proverbs 21:27)
When holiness is pretended, but wickedness intended, that especially is an abomination.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:28
(Read Proverbs 21:28)
The doom of a false witness is certain.
Commentary on Proverbs 21:29
(Read Proverbs 21:29)
A wicked man bids defiance to the terrors of the law and the rebukes of Providence. But a good man asks, What does God require of me?
Commentary on Proverbs 21:30-31
(Read Proverbs 21:30-31)
Means are to be used, but, after all, our safety and salvation are only of the Lord. In our spiritual warfare we must arm ourselves with the whole armour of God; but our strength must be in the Lord, and in the power of his might.