Proverbs 21:4

Enhancing of eyes is [the] alarging of the heart; the lantern of wicked men is sin. (The raising up of the eyes, and the enlarging of the heart; such sins be the lantern of the wicked.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

In Context

3To do mercy and doom, pleaseth more the Lord, than sacrifices. (To do mercy and justice, that pleaseth the Lord more than sacrifices, or burnt offerings.)

5The thoughts of a strong man be ever in abundance; but each slow man is ever in neediness. (The thoughts of a strong person (be) forevermore on abundance, (or on plenty); but those of each person in haste (be) forevermore on neediness./Carefully-made plans shall be successful; but each person in haste shall be forever in need.)

Read all of Proverbs 21

Cross References

Job 18:6Light shall wax dark in his tabernacle; and the lantern, which is on him, shall be quenched. (The light shall grow dark in his tent; and the lantern, which shineth on him, shall be quenched.)

Psalms 101:5I pursued him that backbited privily his neighbour. With the proud eye and an heart unable to be filled; I ate not with this. (I shall silence anyone who privately, or secretly, backbiteth his neighbour. And I shall not eat with anyone who hath a proud eye, and a heart unable to be filled, or ever satisfied.)

Proverbs 6:16Six things there be, which the Lord hateth; and his soul curseth the seventh thing.

Proverbs 8:13The dread of the Lord hateth evil; I curse boast, and pride, and a shrewd way, and a double-tongued mouth. (The fear of the Lord is to hate evil or To have reverence for the Lord is to hate evil; I curse boast, and pride, and a depraved way, and speaking with a double-tongue, or with duplicity.)

Proverbs 21:27The offerings of wicked men (or The offerings of the wicked), that be offered (out) of great trespass, be abominable.

Isaiah 2:11The eyes of an high man (shall) be made low, and the highness of men shall be bowed down; forsooth the Lord alone shall be enhanced in that day (or for only the Lord shall be exalted on that day).

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:4

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Here, 1. It is implied that many deceive themselves with a conceit that, if they offer sacrifice, that will excuse them from doing justice, and procure them a dispensation for their unrighteousness; and this makes their way seem right, v. 2 . We have fasted, Isa. lviii. 3 . I have peace-offerings with me, Prov. vii. 14 . 2. It is plainly declared that living a good life (doing justly and loving mercy) is more pleasing to God than the most… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 21:4