Proverbs 21
Berean Standard BibleTranslation
Berean Standard Bible
World English Bible
1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
1The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
3To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
4A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
5The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
6Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
7The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
8The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
10The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
11When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
13Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
14A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
16The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
17He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
21He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
22A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
24The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
25The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
26There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
28A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
29A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
31The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.
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