Proverbs 21 – read and compare multiple versions
Proverbs 21
[1] The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses.
He turns it wherever he desires.
[2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
[3] To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
[4] A high look and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
[5] The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
[6] Getting treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
[7] The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
because they refuse to do what is right.
[8] The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
[9] It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
[10] The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
[11] When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
[12] The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked,
and brings the wicked to ruin.
[13] Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
[14] A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
[15] It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
[16] The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
[17] He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
[18] The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
the treacherous for the upright.
[19] It is better to dwell in a desert land,
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
[20] There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man swallows it up.
[21] He who follows after righteousness and kindness
finds life, righteousness, and honor.
[22] A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and brings down the strength of its confidence.
[23] Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his soul from troubles.
[24] The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name—
he works in the arrogance of pride.
[25] The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
[26] There are those who covet greedily all day long;
but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
[27] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
[28] A false witness will perish.
A man who listens speaks to eternity.
[29] A wicked man hardens his face;
but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
[30] There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against Yahweh.
[31] The horse is prepared for the day of battle;
but victory is with Yahweh.
He turns it wherever he desires.
[2] Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
[3] To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
[4] A high look and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
[5] The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit;
and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
[6] Getting treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
[7] The violence of the wicked will drive them away,
because they refuse to do what is right.
[8] The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
[9] It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop
than to share a house with a contentious woman.
[10] The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
[11] When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom.
When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
[12] The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked,
and brings the wicked to ruin.
[13] Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor,
he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
[14] A gift in secret pacifies anger,
and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
[15] It is joy to the righteous to do justice;
but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
[16] The man who wanders out of the way of understanding
shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
[17] He who loves pleasure will be a poor man.
He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
[18] The wicked is a ransom for the righteous,
the treacherous for the upright.
[19] It is better to dwell in a desert land,
than with a contentious and fretful woman.
[20] There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise,
but a foolish man swallows it up.
[21] He who follows after righteousness and kindness
finds life, righteousness, and honor.
[22] A wise man scales the city of the mighty,
and brings down the strength of its confidence.
[23] Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps his soul from troubles.
[24] The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name—
he works in the arrogance of pride.
[25] The desire of the sluggard kills him,
for his hands refuse to labor.
[26] There are those who covet greedily all day long;
but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
[27] The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
[28] A false witness will perish.
A man who listens speaks to eternity.
[29] A wicked man hardens his face;
but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
[30] There is no wisdom nor understanding
nor counsel against Yahweh.
[31] The horse is prepared for the day of battle;
but victory is with Yahweh.