Proverbs 21
NIV Parallel ISV [BSB CSB ESV HCS KJV ISV NAS NET NIV NLT HEB]
New International VersionInternational Standard Version
1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.1A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases.
2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.2Every man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3To do what is right 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.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.4A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.5Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.6A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.7Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8The way of the guilty is devious, 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 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 wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10The soul of the wicked craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.11When a mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; 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 God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry 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 gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.14Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger.
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.15Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice iniquity.
16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.16Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive 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 unfaithful for the upright.18The wicked are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.19It's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable woman.
20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.20Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.21Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love 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 attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust.
23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.23Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble.
24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.24The names "Proud," "Arrogant," and "Mocker" fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit.
25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of 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 craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.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 evil intent!27What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives!
28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.28A false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully.
29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.29The wicked man puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.30No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.31The horse may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory.
New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.
Proverbs 20
Top of Page
Top of Page