Proverbs 21
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1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride.
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD.
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Proverbs 20
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