Proverbs 21
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Christian Standard BibleNew International Version
1A king's heart is like channeled water in the LORD's hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do what is right and just is more acceptable 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 unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.
5The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6Making a fortune through a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away because they refuse to act justly.7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8A guilty one's conduct is crooked, but the behavior of the innocent is upright.8The way of the guilty is devious, 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 share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10A wicked person desires evil; he has no consideration for his neighbor.10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
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; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked; he brings the wicked to ruin.12The Righteous One takes note of 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 their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14A secret gift soothes anger, and a covert bribe, fierce rage.14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous but a terror to those who practice iniquity.15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17The one who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive 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 unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person, but a fool consumes them.20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love will find life, righteousness, and honor.21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22A wise person went up against a city of warriors and brought down its secure fortress.22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24The arrogant and proud person, named "Mocker," acts with excessive arrogance.24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.
25A slacker's craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work.25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of 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 craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
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 evil intent!
28A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way.29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 20
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