Proverbs 21
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New International VersionNew American Standard Bible 1995
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 like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes.
2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.2Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts.
3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more 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, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.5The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.6The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the 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 drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice.
8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.8The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct 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 a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.
10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.11When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.13He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself 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 subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
15When justice is done, it brings 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.
16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.16A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.17He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become 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 treacherous is in the place of 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 contentious and vexing woman.
20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.21He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds 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.
23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.23He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.24"Proud," "Haughty," "Scoffer," are his names, Who acts with insolent pride.
25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.25The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work;
26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.26All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not 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!
28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.28A false witness will perish, But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.29A wicked man displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.30There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.31The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But victory belongs to the LORD.
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Proverbs 20
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