Proverbs 21 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 21 ▼
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1 As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it. 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 seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the 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 mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims. 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 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is 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 thoughts of the industrious al- ways bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want. 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 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of 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 robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment. 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 perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right. 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 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house. 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 the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour. 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 When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive 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 just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil. 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 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard. 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 secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath. 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 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work 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 that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants. 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 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be 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 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous. 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 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman. 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 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it. 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 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof. 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 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth 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 proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh 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 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all. 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 He longeth and desireth all the day : but he that is just, will give, and will not cease. 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 sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of 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 lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory. 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 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth 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, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord. 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: but the Lord giveth safety. 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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