Proverbs 21
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
21 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.(A)
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(B)
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.(C)
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.(D)
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.(E)
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.(F)
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.(G)
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.
Proverbs 21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
21 A king’s heart is like streams of water in the Lord’s hand:
He directs it wherever He chooses.(A)
3 Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(C)
5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.(E)
7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.
9 Better to live on the corner of a roof
than to share a house with a nagging wife.(I)
11 When a mocker is punished,
the inexperienced become wiser;
when one teaches a wise man,
he acquires knowledge.(K)
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
He brings the wicked to ruin.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
will himself also call out and not be answered.(L)
15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
but a terror to those who practice iniquity.(N)
16 The man who strays from the way of wisdom
will come to rest
in the assembly of the departed spirits.(O)
17 The one who loves pleasure will become a poor man;
whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.(P)
19 Better to live in a wilderness
than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.(R)
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
but a foolish man consumes them.[i](S)
21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.(T)
22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors
and brought down its secure fortress.(U)
23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue
keeps himself out of trouble.(V)
24 The proud and arrogant person, named “Mocker,”
acts with excessive pride.(W)
25 A slacker’s craving will kill him
because his hands refuse to work.(X)
26 He is filled with craving[j] all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back.(Y)
27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—
how much more so
when he brings it with ulterior motives!(Z)
28 A lying witness will perish,(AA)
but the one who listens will speak successfully.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,(AB)
but the upright man considers his way.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
will prevail against the Lord.(AC)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:2 Lit Lord weighs the hearts
- Proverbs 21:4 Some Hb mss, ancient versions read tillage
- Proverbs 21:6 Or a breath blown away
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
- Proverbs 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death
- Proverbs 21:10 Or favor
- Proverbs 21:14 Lit a bribe in the bosom
- Proverbs 21:18 Or in place of
- Proverbs 21:20 Lit it
- Proverbs 21:26 Lit He craves a craving
Proverbs 21
The Message
God Examines Our Motives
21 Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God;
he directs it to whatever ends he chooses.
2 We justify our actions by appearances;
God examines our motives.
3 Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors
mean far more to God than religious performance.
4 Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked—
are just plain sin.
5 Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run;
hurry and scurry puts you further behind.
6 Make it to the top by lying and cheating;
get paid with smoke and a promotion—to death!
7 The wicked get buried alive by their loot
because they refuse to use it to help others.
8 Mixed motives twist life into tangles;
pure motives take you straight down the road.
Do Your Best, Prepare for the Worst
9 Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack
than share a mansion with a nagging spouse.
10 Wicked souls love to make trouble;
they feel nothing for friends and neighbors.
11 Simpletons only learn the hard way,
but the wise learn by listening.
12 A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked
and undo the evil they’ve planned.
13 If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor,
your cries will go unheard, unanswered.
14 A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person;
a heartfelt present cools a hot temper.
15 Good people celebrate when justice triumphs,
but for the workers of evil it’s a bad day.
16 Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow
ends up in a congregation of ghosts.
17 You’re addicted to thrills? What an empty life!
The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied.
18 What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs;
the plotter gets it in the end.
19 Better to live in a tent in the wild
than with a cross and petulant spouse.
20 Valuables are safe in a wise person’s home;
fools put it all out for yard sales.
21 Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind
finds life itself—glorious life!
22 One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers—
their trusted defenses fell to pieces!
23 Watch your words and hold your tongue;
you’ll save yourself a lot of grief.
24 You know their names—Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer—
intemperate hotheads, every one.
25 Lazy people finally die of hunger
because they won’t get up and go to work.
26 Sinners are always wanting what they don’t have;
the God-loyal are always giving what they do have.
27 Religious performance by the wicked stinks;
it’s even worse when they use it to get ahead.
28 A lying witness is unconvincing;
a person who speaks truth is respected.
29 Unscrupulous people fake it a lot;
honest people are sure of their steps.
30 Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived,
can get the better of God.
31 Do your best, prepare for the worst—
then trust God to bring victory.
Proverbs 21
New King James Version
The Lord Considers the Heart
21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,
Like the [a]rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
3 (C)To do righteousness and justice
Is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
5 (E)The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty,
But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will [d]destroy them,
Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of [e]a guilty man is perverse;
But as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop,
Than in a house shared with (G)a contentious woman.
10 (H)The soul of the wicked desires evil;
His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise;
But when the (I)wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked,
Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.
13 (J)Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger,
And a bribe [f]behind the back, strong wrath.
15 It is a joy for the just to do justice,
But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding
Will rest in the assembly of the (K)dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man;
He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous,
And the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to dwell [g]in the wilderness,
Than with a contentious and angry woman.
20 (L)There is desirable treasure,
And oil in the dwelling of the wise,
But a foolish man squanders it.
21 (M)He who follows righteousness and mercy
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
23 (O)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
Keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man—“Scoffer” is his name;
He acts with arrogant pride.
25 The (P)desire of the lazy man kills him,
For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets greedily all day long,
But the righteous (Q)gives and does not spare.
27 (R)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;
How much more when he brings it with wicked intent!
28 A false witness shall perish,
But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.
29 A wicked man hardens his face,
But as for the upright, he [i]establishes his way.
30 (S)There is no wisdom or understanding
Or counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
But (T)deliverance is of the Lord.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:1 channels
- Proverbs 21:4 Or lamp
- Proverbs 21:6 LXX Pursue vanity on the snares of death; Vg. Is vain and foolish, and shall stumble on the snares of death; Tg. They shall be destroyed, and they shall fall who seek death
- Proverbs 21:7 Lit. drag them away
- Proverbs 21:8 Or The way of a man is perverse and strange;
- Proverbs 21:14 Under cover, lit. in the bosom
- Proverbs 21:19 Lit. in the land of the desert
- Proverbs 21:22 Climbs over the walls of
- Proverbs 21:29 Qr., LXX understands
Provérbios 21
Nova Traduҫão na Linguagem de Hoje 2000
21 Para o Senhor Deus, controlar a mente de um rei é tão fácil como dirigir a correnteza de um rio.
2 Se você pensa que tudo o que faz é certo, lembre que o Senhor julga as suas intenções.
3 Faça o que é direito e justo, pois isso agrada mais a Deus do que lhe oferecer sacrifícios.
4 Os maus são dominados pelo orgulho e pela vaidade, e isso é pecado.
5 Quem planeja com cuidado tem fartura, mas o apressado acaba passando necessidade.
6 A riqueza que é ganha desonestamente acaba logo e é uma armadilha mortal.
7 Os maus são destruídos pela sua própria violência porque se negam a fazer o que é direito.
8 O culpado segue caminhos errados, mas o inocente faz o que é direito.
9 É melhor morar no fundo do quintal do que dentro de casa com uma mulher briguenta.
10 Os maus têm fome do mal; eles não têm pena de ninguém.
11 Quando o zombador é castigado, as pessoas sem experiência aprendem uma lição. Quando se ensina o sábio, o seu conhecimento é aumentado.
12 Deus, que é justo, observa os maus e os faz cair na desgraça.
13 Quem recusar ouvir o grito do pobre também gritará e não será ouvido.
14 Dê um presente em segredo a quem estiver zangado com você, e a raiva dele acabará.
15 Quando se faz justiça, os bons ficam felizes, porém os maus ficam apavorados.
16 Quem se afasta do bom-senso está caminhando para a morte.
17 Quem ama os prazeres passará necessidade; quem ama o vinho e a boa comida nunca ficará rico.
18 As pessoas honestas ficam livres da angústia, e os maus sofrem em lugar dos bons.
19 É melhor morar no deserto do que com uma mulher que vive resmungando e se queixando.
20 O homem sensato tem o suficiente para viver na riqueza e na fartura, mas o insensato não, porque gasta tudo o que ganha.
21 Quem é bondoso e direito terá uma vida longa e será tratado com respeito e justiça.
22 Uma pessoa inteligente pode conquistar uma cidade defendida por homens fortes e destruir as muralhas em que eles confiavam.
23 Se você não quer se meter em dificuldades, tome cuidado com o que diz.
24 Chamamos de zombador o homem vaidoso que trata os outros com orgulho e desprezo.
25 O preguiçoso morre desejando muitas coisas porque se nega a trabalhar; 26 ele passa o dia inteiro pensando no que gostaria de ter. Mas a pessoa de caráter tem o que dar e dá com prazer.
27 Deus detesta os sacrifícios que os maus lhe oferecem, especialmente quando oferecem com más intenções.
28 A testemunha falsa será condenada à morte, mas a palavra da pessoa que costuma ouvir bem as coisas será aceita.
29 O homem direito tem confiança em si mesmo, porém o mau só finge que tem.
30 A sabedoria, a inteligência e o entendimento das pessoas não são nada na presença do Senhor.
31 Os homens aprontam os cavalos para a batalha, mas quem dá a vitória é Deus, o Senhor.
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