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Proverbs 21:16-31
New American Standard Bible
Proverbs 21:16-31
New American Standard Bible
16 A person who wanders from the way of understanding
Will (A)rest in the assembly of the [a]dead.
17 One who (B)loves pleasure will become a poor person;
One who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The wicked is a (C)ransom for the righteous,
And the (D)treacherous is in the place of the upright.
19 (E)It is better to live in a desert land
Than with a contentious and irritating woman.
20 There is precious (F)treasure and oil in the home of the wise,
But a foolish person (G)swallows it up.
21 One who (H)pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A (I)wise person scales the city of the mighty
And brings down the [b]stronghold in which they trust.
23 One who (J)guards his mouth and his tongue,
Guards his soul from troubles.
24 “Proud,” “Arrogant,” “(K)Scoffer,” are his names,
One who acts with (L)insolent pride.
25 The (M)desire of the [c]lazy one puts him to death,
For his hands refuse to work;
26 All day long he [d]is craving,
While the righteous (N)gives and does not hold back.
27 The (O)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination,
How much more when he brings it with evil intent!
28 A (P)false witness will perish,
But a person who listens will speak forever.
29 A wicked person [e](Q)displays a bold face,
But as for the (R)upright, he makes his way sure.
30 There is (S)no wisdom, no understanding,
And no [f]plan against the Lord.
31 The (T)horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But the (U)victory belongs to the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:16 Lit departed spirits
- Proverbs 21:22 Lit strength of trust
- Proverbs 21:25 Lit idle
- Proverbs 21:26 Lit desires desire
- Proverbs 21:29 Lit makes firm with his face
- Proverbs 21:30 Or advice
Proverbs 21:16-31
New International Version
Proverbs 21:16-31
New International Version
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.(A)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(B)
18 The wicked become a ransom(C) for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(D)
20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
but fools gulp theirs down.
22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(G)
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
24 The proud and arrogant person(J)—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(K)
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous(L) give without sparing.(M)
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.(R)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.(U)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.