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.1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.3To do what is right and just 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 unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.
5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never 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 unfaithful for the upright.
19It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress 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.
23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.
25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with 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.New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 20
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