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 like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.10Evil people desire 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.11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 20
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