Proverbs 21 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 21 ▼
swipe to see more →
BSB
Berean Standard Bible
ESV
English Standard Version
KJV
King James Version
NIV
New International Version
NLT
New Living Translation
1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases. The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.
2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.
5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
10 The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer. Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need.
14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath. A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury.
15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers.
16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest.
19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.
20 Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get.
21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.
24 Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride. “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. The proud and arrogant person—|Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury. Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.
25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work. The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give!
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent! The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent! The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives.
28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.
29 A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act.
30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
Previous chapter
Top of Page
Top of Page