Proverbs 21
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1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. 1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.
2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. 2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. 4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. 5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. 7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.
8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. 8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.
9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife. 9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. 10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.
11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge. 11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.
13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered. 13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.
14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. 14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.
15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.
16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. 16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich. 17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright. 18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.
19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman. 19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. 20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.
21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. 21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. 22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.
23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. 23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. 24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.
25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. 25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.
27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! 27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable--how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!
28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. 29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.
30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD. 30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD. 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.
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Proverbs 20
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