Proverbs 21
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1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.
2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.
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.
4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.4The lamp that guides the wicked--haughty eyes and an arrogant heart--is sin.
5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. 6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.
8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.
9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.9Better to live on the corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife.
10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.
11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.11When a mocker is punished, the inexperienced become wiser; when one teaches a wise man, he acquires knowledge.
12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered.13The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself also call out and not be answered.
14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.
15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.
16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.
18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.18The wicked are a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous, for the upright.
19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor.21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.
23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.
25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back.26He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.
27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!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 whoever listens will testify successfully. 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. 29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.
30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.
31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory.31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 20
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