Proverbs 21
21
The Lord Is In Charge
1 #
3 Macc 5.28. The Lord controls rulers,
just as he determines
the course of rivers.
2We may think we are doing
the right thing,
but the Lord always knows
what is in our hearts.
3Doing what is right and fair
pleases the Lord
more than an offering.
4Evil people are proud
and arrogant,
but sin is the only crop
they produce.#21.4 but sin … produce: Or “but sin is the only light they ever follow.”
5If you plan and work hard,
you will have plenty;
if you hurry to get rich,
you will end up poor.
6Cheating to get rich
is a foolish dream
and no less than suicide.#21.6 and … suicide: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text.
7You destroy yourself
by being cruel and violent
and refusing to live right.
8All crooks are liars,
but anyone who is innocent
will do right.
9 #
Si 25.16. It's better to stay outside
on the roof of your house
than to live inside
with a nagging wife.
10Evil people want to do wrong,
even to their friends.
11An ignorant fool learns
by seeing others punished;
a sensible person learns
by being instructed.
12God is always fair!
He knows what the wicked do
and will punish them.
13If you won't help the poor,
don't expect to be heard
when you cry out for help.
14A secret bribe will save you
from someone's fierce anger.
15When justice is done,
good citizens are glad
and crooks are terrified.
16If you stop using good sense,
you will find yourself
in the grave.
17Heavy drinkers and others
who live only for pleasure
will lose all they have.
18God's people will escape,
but all who are wicked
will pay the price.
19It's better out in the desert
than at home with a nagging,
complaining wife.
20Be sensible and store up
precious treasures—
don't waste them
like a fool.
21If you try to be kind and good,
you will be blessed with life
and goodness and honor.
22One wise person can defeat
a city full of soldiers
and capture their fortress.
23Watching what you say
can save you
a lot of trouble.
24If you are proud and conceited,
everyone will say,
“You're a snob!”
25If you want too much
and are too lazy to work,
it could be fatal.
26But people who obey God
are always generous.
27 #
Si 7.9. The Lord despises the offerings
of wicked people
with evil motives.
28If you tell lies in court,
you are done for;
only a reliable witness
can do the job.
29Wicked people bluff their way,
but God's people think
before they take a step.
30No matter how much you know
or what plans you make,
you can't defeat the Lord.
31Even if your army has horses
ready for battle,
the Lord will always win.
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Proverbs 21: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 21
21
1The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses:
He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes;
But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4A high look, and a proud heart,
Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness;
But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop,
Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10The soul of the wicked desireth evil:
His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked,
How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin.
13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor,
He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14A gift in secret pacifieth anger;
And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding
Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man:
He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18The wicked is a ransom for the righteous;
And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright.
19It is better to dwell in a desert land,
Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise;
But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21He that followeth after righteousness and kindness
Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty,
And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue
Keepeth his soul from troubles.
24The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name;
He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
25The desire of the sluggard killeth him;
For his hands refuse to labor.
26There is that coveteth greedily all the day long;
But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
28A false witness shall perish;
But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
29A wicked man hardeneth his face;
But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
30There is no wisdom nor understanding
Nor counsel against Jehovah.
31The horse is prepared against the day of battle;
But victory is of Jehovah.
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