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Proverbs 21:1

God's power and sovereigntyGod's will and callingAuthority and leadership
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
KJV
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
WEB
The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
ASV
The king`s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
DARBY
The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
BLB
Channels of water [is] the heart of a king in the hand of YHWH; upon all that He wishes, He stretches it out.
ÅB
Kongens hjerte er som bekker i Herrens hånd, han bøyer det dit han vil.
OTB
Kongens hjerte er som bekker av vann i Herrens hånd; Han leder det dit Han vil.
B1930
Kongens hjerte er som bekker i Herrens hånd, han bøier det dit han vil.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Proverbs 16:9

    A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

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  • Ezra 6:22

    And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 20:24

    Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?

    Read in context

  • Acts 7:10

    And delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 16:1

    The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

    Read in context

  • Ezra 7:27–28

    Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:

    Read in context

  • Daniel 4:35

    And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

    Read in context

  • Psalms 106:46

    He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.

    Read in context