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Proverbs 20-21
New Life Version
Proverbs 20-21
New Life Version
20 Wine makes people act in a foolish way. Strong drink starts fights. Whoever is fooled by it is not wise.
2 The anger of a king is like the noise of a lion. He who makes him angry gives up his own life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep away from fighting, but any fool will argue.
4 The lazy man does not plow before winter. So he begs during gathering time and has nothing.
5 The plan in a man’s heart is like water in a deep well, but a man of understanding gets it out.
6 Many men tell about their own loving-kindness and good ways but who can find a faithful man?
7 How happy are the sons of a man who is right with God and walks in honor!
8 A king who sits on his throne to judge finds out all sin with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart clean, and I am pure from my sin?”
10 The Lord hates the use of tools that lie about how heavy or how long something is.
11 A young man makes himself known by his actions and proves if his ways are pure and right.
12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye were both made by the Lord.
13 Do not love sleep, or you will become poor. Open your eyes, and you will be filled with food.
14 “It is bad, it is bad,” says the one who buys, but when he goes away, he talks much about his good buy.
15 There is gold and many stones of great worth, but the lips of much learning are worth more.
16 Take a man’s coat when he has given himself as trust for what a stranger owes. And hold him to his promise when he gives himself as trust for what the people from other lands owe.
17 Bread a man gets by lying is sweet to him, but later his mouth will be filled with sand.
18 Make plans by listening to what others have to say, and make war by listening to the leading of wise men.
19 He who goes about talking to hurt people makes secrets known. So do not be with those who talk about others.
20 If a son talks against his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in the time of darkness.
21 A large gift received at one time in a hurry will not bring good in the end.
22 Do not say, “I will punish wrong-doing.” Wait on the Lord, and He will take care of it.
23 Giving the wrong weight is hated by the Lord. And weighing something wrong is not good.
24 A man’s steps are decided by the Lord. How can anyone understand his own way?
25 It is a trap for a man to say without thinking, “It is holy,” and then later think more about what he has promised.
26 A wise king puts the sinful aside and crushes the grain over them.
27 The spirit of man is the lamp of the Lord. It shows all the inside parts of his heart.
28 A king will stay in power as long as he is faithful and true. He can stay on his throne if he does what is right and good.
29 The honor of young men is their strength. And the honor of old men is their hair turning white.
30 Beatings that hurt clean away sin. And beatings make even the inside parts clean.
21 The heart of the king is like rivers of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it where He wishes.
2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord knows the hearts.
3 To do what is right and good and fair is more pleasing to the Lord than gifts given on the altar in worship.
4 Eyes lifted high and a proud heart is sin and is the lamp of the sinful.
5 The plans of those who do their best lead only to having all they need, but all who are in a hurry come only to want.
6 Getting riches by a lying tongue is like a passing cloud, and leads to death.
7 The way the sinful hurt others will draw them away, because they will not do what is right and fair.
8 The way of a guilty man is sinful, but the actions of the pure man are right.
9 It is better to live in a corner of a roof than in a house shared with an arguing woman.
10 The soul of the sinful has a desire for what is bad. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the man who laughs at the truth is punished, the fool becomes wise. When a wise man is taught, he gets much learning.
12 The One Who is right and good thinks about the house of the sinful, and the sinful are thrown down to be destroyed.
13 He who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret quiets anger. A gift from the heart quiets strong anger.
15 When what is right and fair is done, it is a joy for those who are right with God. But it fills the sinful with fear.
16 A man who goes away from the way of understanding will rest in the gathering of the dead.
17 He who loves only fun will become a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The sinful man is the price given for the man who is right with God, the man who is not faithful for the faithful man.
19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a woman who argues and causes trouble.
20 There are riches and oil of great worth in the house of the wise, but a foolish man swallows them up.
21 He who follows what is right and loving and kind finds life, right-standing with God and honor.
22 A wise man goes over the city walls of the powerful, and brings down the strong-place in which they trust.
23 He who watches over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 “Proud,” “Self-important” and “One who laughs at the truth” are the names of the man who acts without respect and is proud.
25 The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands will not work.
26 He is filled with desire all day long, but the man who is right with God gives all he can.
27 The gift given on an altar in worship by the sinful is a hated thing. How much more when he brings it for the wrong reason!
28 A person who tells a lie about someone else will be lost, but the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
29 A sinful man’s face shows he is pretending, but a good man is sure of himself.
30 There is no wisdom and no understanding and no words that can stand against the Lord.
31 The horse is made ready for war, but winning the fight belongs to the Lord.
Proverbs 20-21
New International Version
Proverbs 20-21
New International Version
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion;(E)
those who anger him forfeit their lives.(F)
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,(K)
but one who has insight draws them out.
6 Many claim to have unfailing love,
but a faithful person who can find?(L)
10 Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.(S)
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure(T) and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.(U)
13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(V)
stay awake and you will have food to spare.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
then goes off and boasts about the purchase.
15 Gold there is, and rubies in abundance,
but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
hold it in pledge(W) if it is done for an outsider.(X)
18 Plans are established by seeking advice;
so if you wage war, obtain guidance.(AA)
19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(AB)
so avoid anyone who talks too much.
20 If someone curses their father or mother,(AC)
their lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.(AD)
21 An inheritance claimed too soon
will not be blessed at the end.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(AE)
Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(AF)
23 The Lord detests differing weights,
and dishonest scales do not please him.(AG)
24 A person’s steps are directed(AH) by the Lord.(AI)
How then can anyone understand their own way?(AJ)
25 It is a trap to dedicate something rashly
and only later to consider one’s vows.(AK)
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked;
he drives the threshing wheel over them.(AL)
29 The glory of young men is their strength,
gray hair the splendor of the old.(AQ)
21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.(AT)
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.(AU)
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(AV)
4 Haughty eyes(AW) and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit(AX)
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(AZ)
for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,(BA)
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof
than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(BB)
10 The wicked crave evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(BC)
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(BG)
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.(BH)
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.(BI)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(BJ)
18 The wicked become a ransom(BK) for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(BL)
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(BO)
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
24 The proud and arrogant person(BR)—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(BS)
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous(BT) give without sparing.(BU)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(BV)—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!(BW)
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.(BZ)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.(CC)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are
- Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death
- Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person
- Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness
Proverbs 20-21
King James Version
Proverbs 20-21
King James Version
20 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
2 The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.
3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
7 The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.
8 A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.
11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made even both of them.
13 Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
14 It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
15 There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
16 Take his garment that is surety for a stranger: and take a pledge of him for a strange woman.
17 Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.
18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.
19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
20 Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.
21 An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.
22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.
23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the Lord; and a false balance is not good.
24 Man's goings are of the Lord; how can a man then understand his own way?
25 It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
26 A wise king scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
28 Mercy and truth preserve the king: and his throne is upholden by mercy.
29 The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head.
30 The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.
21 The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.
New Life Version (NLV)
Copyright © 1969, 2003 by Barbour Publishing, Inc.
New International Version (NIV) 
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