Proverbs 21
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1In the LORD's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.1The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the unplowed field of the wicked--produce sin.4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
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 scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24The proud and arrogant person--"Mocker" is his name-- behaves with insolent fury.24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable-- how much more so when brought with evil intent!27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
New International Version (NIV)

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King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
Proverbs 20
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