Proverbs 21 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 21 ▼
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1 Channels of water is the heart of a king in the hand of YHWH; upon all that He wishes, He stretches it out. The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, and YHWH is measuring hearts. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice is chosen of YHWH above sacrifice. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes and broadness of heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent are surely to abundance, and everyone hurrying about, surely to poverty. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 Working for treasures by a tongue of deception is a vapor driven away of those seeking death. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do justice. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, and for a pure one, his work is straight. The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to sit on the corner of a roof, than with a woman of quarrels and a house of company. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of a wicked one desires evil; his neighbor shall not find favor in his eyes. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 By fining a mocker, a simple one is made wise; and in giving understanding to a wise one, he receives knowledge. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, overthrowing the wicked for wickedness. The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 One shutting his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, and will not be answered. Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong rage. A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.
15 A joy for the righteous is doing justice, and a terror for the workers of iniquity. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
16 A man wandering from the way of understanding will come to rest in the assembly of Rephaim. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.
17 The one loving pleasure is a man of need, the one loving wine and oil will not become rich. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.
18 A wicked one is a ransom for a righteous one, and the one acting treacherously for upright ones. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a land of wilderness than with a woman of quarrels and provocation. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
20 Treasure to be desired and oil are in the dwelling of a wise one, and a foolish man swallows it up. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.
21 One pursuing righteousness and loving devotion will find life, righteousness, and honor. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 A wise one ascends a city of mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold of its confidence. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 The one guarding his mouth and his tongue is guarding his soul from distress. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
24 The arrogant and haughty one—Mocker is his name—he is acting in the outpouring of pride. “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. The proud and arrogant person—|Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury.
25 The desire of the lazy one brings him death, for his hands refuse to work. The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
26 All the day he has desired his desire and the righteous one gives and does not withhold. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing.
27 The sacrifice of wicked ones is an abomination—how much more when he brings it in wickedness! The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent!
28 A witness of falsehood will perish, and the man being attentive will speak forever. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.
29 A wicked man strengthens his face, and an upright one—he establishes his way. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
30 There is no wisdom and no understanding and no counsel against YHWH. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, and the victory is of YHWH. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
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