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