Proverbs 21

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will. 2All 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 Yahweh weighs the hearts.Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts. 3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice. 4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin. 5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want. 6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death. 7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice. 8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right. 9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. 10The 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 soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes. 11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. 12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin. 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard. 14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath. 15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.It 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.The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead. 17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright. 19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.It 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.There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up. 21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor. 22A 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 strength of its confidence.A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof. 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles. 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride. 25The 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 desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor. 26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not. 27The 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 a wicked mind!The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind! 28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure. 29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways. 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah. 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.

Berean Standard Bible (public domain).World English Bible (public domain).King James Version (public domain in the US).American Standard Version, 1901 (public domain).