Proverbs 21
21
1 THE KING'S heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses; He turns it whichever way He wills.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts. [Prov. 24:12; Luke 16:15.]
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. [I Sam. 15:22; Prov. 15:8; Isa. 1:11; Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:7, 8.]
4 Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp [of joy] to them [whatever it may be], are sin [in the eyes of God].
5 The thoughts of the [steadily] diligent tend only to plenteousness, but everyone who is impatient and hasty hastens only to want.
6 Securing treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro; those who seek them seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his work is right and his conduct is straight.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.
10 The soul or life of the wicked craves and seeks evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. [James 2:16.]
11 When the scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson in being wise; but men of [godly] Wisdom and good sense learn by being instructed.
12 The [uncompromisingly] righteous man considers well the house of the wicked–how the wicked are cast down to ruin.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard. [Matt. 18:30-34; James 2:13.]
14 A gift in secret pacifies and turns away anger, and a bribe in the lap, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, in right standing with God), but to the evildoers it is dismay, calamity, and ruin.
16 A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the congregation of the spirits (of the dead).
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the [uncompromisingly] righteous, and the treacherous for the upright [because the wicked themselves fall into the traps and pits they have dug for the good].
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land than with a contentious woman and with vexation.
20 There are precious treasures and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a self-confident and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it.
21 He who earnestly seeks after and craves righteousness, mercy, and loving-kindness will find life in addition to righteousness (uprightness and right standing with God) and honor. [Prov. 15:9; Matt. 5:6.]
22 A wise man scales the city walls of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles. [Prov. 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; James 3:2.]
24 The proud and haughty man–Scoffer is his name–deals and acts with overbearing pride.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all the day long, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous gives and does not withhold. [II Cor. 9:6-10.]
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is exceedingly disgusting and abhorrent [to the Lord]–how much more when he brings it with evil intention?
28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears attentively will endure and go unchallenged.
29 A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt], but as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity].
30 There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or counsel [that can prevail] against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but deliverance and victory are of the Lord.
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Proverbs 21: AMPC
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1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
Proverbs 21
21
1The LORD controls the mind of a king as easily as he directs the course of a stream.
2You may think that everything you do is right, but remember that the LORD judges your motives.
3Do what is right and fair; that pleases the LORD more than bringing him sacrifices.
4Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful.
5Plan carefully and you will have plenty; if you act too quickly, you will never have enough.
6The riches you get by dishonesty soon disappear, but not before they lead you into the jaws of death.
7The wicked are doomed by their own violence; they refuse to do what is right.
8Guilty people walk a crooked path; the innocent do what is right.
9Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.
10Wicked people are always hungry for evil; they have no mercy on anyone.
11When someone who is conceited gets his punishment, even an unthinking person learns a lesson. One who is wise will learn from what he is taught.
12God, the righteous one, knows what goes on in the homes of the wicked, and he will bring the wicked down to ruin.
13If you refuse to listen to the cry of the poor, your own cry for help will not be heard.
14If someone is angry with you, a gift given secretly will calm him down.
15When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are brought to despair.
16Death is waiting for anyone who wanders away from good sense.
17Indulging in luxuries, wine, and rich food will never make you wealthy.
18The wicked bring on themselves the suffering they try to cause good people.
19Better to live out in the desert than with a nagging, complaining wife.
20Wise people live in wealth and luxury, but stupid people spend their money as fast as they get it.
21Be kind and honest and you will live a long life; others will respect you and treat you fairly.
22A shrewd general can take a city defended by strong men, and destroy the walls they relied on.
23If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say.
24Show me a conceited person and I will show you someone who is arrogant, proud, and inconsiderate.
25Lazy people who refuse to work are only killing themselves; 26all they do is think about what they would like to have. The righteous, however, can give, and give generously.
27The LORD hates it when wicked people offer him sacrifices, especially if they do it from evil motives.
28The testimony of a liar is not believed, but the word of someone who thinks matters through is accepted.
29Righteous people are sure of themselves; the wicked have to pretend as best they can.
30Human wisdom, brilliance, insight — they are of no help if the LORD is against you.
31You can get horses ready for battle, but it is the LORD who gives victory.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.