Proverbs 21
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1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, 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 acceptable 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 lamp of the wicked, are sin.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.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 the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.
9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared 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 desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.
11When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.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 averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.
15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.
16One who wanders from the way of good sense 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.
17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.
19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.
20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find 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 brings 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.
23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.
24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride.
25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.
29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.
30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to 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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