Proverbs 21 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 21 ▼
swipe to see more →
ISV
Intl. Standard Version
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
+Add
1 A king's heart is a water stream that the LORD controls; he directs it wherever he pleases. 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 man's lifestyle is proper in his own view, but the LORD weighs the heart. 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 what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than 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 A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people. 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 Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity, but all who are hasty will surely become poor. 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 A fortune gained by deceit is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. 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 Devastation caused by the wicked will drag 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 violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The conduct of a guilty man is perverse, but the behavior of the pure is upright. 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's better to live in a corner on the roof than to share a house with a contentious woman. 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 craves evil; he extends no mercy to his neighbor. 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 mocker is punished, the fool gains wisdom; but when the wise is instructed, 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 God considers the house of the wicked, bringing the wicked to ruin. 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 Whoever refuses to hear the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but he won't 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 Privately given gifts pacify wrath, and payments made secretly appease great anger. 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 Administering justice brings joy to the righteous, but terror to those who practice 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 Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered. 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 Pleasure lovers become poor; loving wine and oil doesn't bring riches. 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 are ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. 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's better to live in the wilderness than to live with a contentious and irritable 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 Precious treasures and oil are found where the wise live, but a foolish man devours them. 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 Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love finds 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 man attacks the city of the mighty, bringing down the fortress in which they trust. 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 Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble. 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 names |Proud,| |Arrogant,| and |Mocker| fit whoever acts with presumptuous conceit. “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 What the lazy person craves will kill him, because 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 day long he continues to crave, while the righteous person gives without holding back. 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 What the wicked person sacrifices is detestable— how much more when he offers it with vile motives! 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 false witness will perish, but whoever listens will testify successfully. 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 puts up a bold appearance, but the upright thinks about what he is doing. 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 No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail 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 may be prepared for the day of battle, but to the LORD goes the victory. 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.
Previous chapter
Top of Page
Top of Page