Proverbs 21
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1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.
2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.
3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.
5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.
7The violence of the wicked sweeps 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 guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.
9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.
11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin.
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too will cry out and will not be answered.
14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.
15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.
16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed.
17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
18The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.
19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.
20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.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 unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor.
22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.
23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.
24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride.
25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.
26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.
29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.
30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is prepared 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.
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.NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 20
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