Proverbs 21
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1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The righteous God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.13Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't be answered.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory.
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Proverbs 20
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