Proverbs 21
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Holman Christian Standard BibleBerean Study Bible
1A king's heart is like streams of water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever He chooses. 1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD evaluates the motives. 2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4The lamp that guides the wicked-- haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin. 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor. 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death. 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly. 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8A guilty man's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright. 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor. 10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge. 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; He brings the wicked to ruin. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered. 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage. 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. 16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich. 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright. 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife. 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a foolish man consumes them. 20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor. 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress. 22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24The proud and arrogant person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive pride. 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.
25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. 25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back. 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable-- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! 27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way. 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD. 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved.
Proverbs 20
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