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.1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do what is right and just 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 unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for 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 is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never 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 unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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Proverbs 20
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