Proverbs 21
Parallel Chapters

The King's Heart is in the Lord's Hand

(Psalm 21:1-13)

NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.1The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.1The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.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.2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.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.3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice.3To do justice and judgment 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.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.
NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.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.6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.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 will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.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.8The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright.8The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright.8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.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.9It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.9It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.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 scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth 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 observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.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.13Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered.13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.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 gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.14A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.
NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.15When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.15The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity.15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.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.16One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation 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.17Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not 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 is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright.18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright.18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor 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.19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.19It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman.19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.20Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.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.21Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor.21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.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 man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.22A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.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.23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.23He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.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.24“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.24"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride.
NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.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.26All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.26All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back.26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.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 the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent!27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?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 false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.28A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.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 gives thought to his ways.29A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way.
NIVESVNASBKJVHCSB
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.30No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel 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.31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.



THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica®.

ESV® Text Edition® (2016): The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960 - 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

King James Bible Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com

Section Headings Courtesy INT Bible © 2012, Used by Permission.

Bible Hub
Proverbs 20
Top of Page
Top of Page