Sunday 4 October27th Sunday in Ordinary TimeLiturgical colour: green

Bible / Proverbs

Proverbs 21

Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision (1749–1752), the traditional Catholic English Bible, translated from the Latin Vulgate. If you read a modern Bible, this is the same Scripture in older English; some names are spelled differently (Cesarea for Caesarea, Apocalypse for Revelation). About this translation

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church

Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text. The Catechism uses modern verse numbers, so these are listed by chapter.

  1. Proverbs 21:1 in modern BiblesCCC 269
    Read the Catechism and Fathers
    • CCC 269 “The Holy Scriptures repeatedly confess the universal power of God. He is called the "Mighty One of Jacob", the "LORD of hosts",…”
    • “… end, when he said, "All these are delivered unto me, and to whomsoever I will I give them." For it is not he who has appointed the kingdoms of this world, but God; for "the heart of the king is in the hand of God.”

      Quoted in Against Heresies, Book V, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXIV. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1

A modern English Catholic translation will be added once its publisher grants permission.