Proverbs 21 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 21 ▼
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1 LIKE streams of water, so is the king's heart in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. 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; but the LORD sets the heart in order. 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 He who does righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than he who offers a 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 Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and the posterity of the wicked are sinful. 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 elect tend surely to plenteousness; but those of evil men cause 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 The getting of treasure by a lying tongue will bring destruction and death to those who seek it. 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 destruction of the wicked shall come upon them because they refused 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 He who perverts his own way acts strangely; but he who is pure, his works are 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 dwell alone in a corner of the housetop than to live with a quarrelsome woman in a large 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 a wicked man is hidden from his neighbor's 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 When a wicked man suffers harm, even the simple become wise; but a wise man receives knowledge through his own counsel. 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 man wisely understands the hearts of the wicked; and he overthrows the wicked into mischief. 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 who closes his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry to God, but he shall not answer him. 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 pacifies anger; but he who is sparing with his gifts stirs 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 righteous to do justice, but destruction to 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 The man who wanders from the way of understanding shall lie in the congregation of the dead. 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 who lacks wealth and yet loves entertainment, wine, and pleasure 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 shall be given as a ransom for the righteous, and the deceitful 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 is better to dwell in the wilderness than with a quarrelsome and an angry wife. 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 A coveted treasure and ointment are in a dwelling place; but the wisdom and understanding of men shall dispense 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 who seeks after righteousness and mercy 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 man scales the defenses of the city of mighty men and conquers the stronghold in which they trusted. 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 who keeps his mouth and his 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 In his wrath a hasty and proud man commits iniquity. “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 sluggard kills him; for his hands refuse to labor. 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 covets greedily all the day long; but the righteous man gives and does not spare. 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 the wicked is an abomination; because they bring it in an unjust way. 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 shall perish; but an obedient man speaks truth. 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 face of a wicked man is shameless; but he who is upright amends his ways. 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 nor understanding nor counsel like that of 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 salvation is of the LORD. 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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