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. 1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. 2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable 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 agricultural product of the wicked is sin. 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only 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 like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death. 6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right. 7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright. 8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct 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 a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes. 10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains 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; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. 12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and 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. 13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath. 14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil. 15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. 16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not 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 are taken in the place of the upright. 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful 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 desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has. 20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. 21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring 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.
23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. 23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride. 24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.
25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for 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 craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. 26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. 28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. 29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel 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 the victory is from 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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