Proverbs 21
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1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants.
2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.2All of a person's ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.
3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.4Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin.
5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.5The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is like a vapor driven back and forth; they seek death.
7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.7The violence done by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is right.
8The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright.8The way of the guilty person is devious, but as for the pure, his way is upright.
9It's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman.9It is better to live on a corner of the housetop than in a house in company with a quarrelsome wife.
10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.10The appetite of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor is shown no favor in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.11When a scorner is punished, the naive becomes wise; when a wise person is instructed, he gains 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 overthrows the wicked to their 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, he too will cry out and will not be answered.
14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.14A gift given in secret subdues anger, and a bribe given secretly subdues strong wrath.
15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.15Doing justice brings joy to the righteous and terror to those who do evil.
16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.16The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed.
17Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches.17The one who loves pleasure will be a poor person; whoever loves wine and anointing oil will not be rich.
18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless are taken in the place of the upright.
19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.19It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and easily-provoked woman.
20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.20There is desirable treasure and olive oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person devours all he has.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds life, righteousness, and honor.21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor.
22A wise man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust.
23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.
24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is "Scoffer," acts with overbearing pride.
25What the lazy person craves will kill him, because his hands refuse to work.25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work.
26All day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back.26All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.
27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!27The wicked person's sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully. 28A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever.
29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. 29A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways.
30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.30There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel 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 the victory is from the LORD.
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Proverbs 20
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