Proverbs 21
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New International VersionHolman Christian Standard Bible
1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses.
2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives.
3To do what is right and just 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 unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for 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 is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.
12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and 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 soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.
16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.
19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.
23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride.
25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent!27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!
28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.
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Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 20
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