Proverbs 21
Contrasting proverbs address the king's heart in the LORD's hand, the sacrifice of the wicked as an abomination, and the futility of human plans against the counsel of the LORD. The chapter warns that whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will himself cry and not be heard.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. | The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wills. |
| 2 | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD ponders the hearts. |
| 3 | To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. | 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. | A high look, a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked are sin. |
| 5 | The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. | The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty, but of everyone who 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. | Gaining treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro by those who seek death. |
| 7 | The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment. | The robbery of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do justice. |
| 8 | The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right. | The way of man is perverse 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. | It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than with a contentious woman in a wide house. |
| 10 | The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. | The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. |
| 11 | When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. | When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise, and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. |
| 12 | The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. | The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked; but God overthrows 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. | Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will also cry himself, but will not be heard. |
| 14 | A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath. | A gift in secret pacifies 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. | It is joy to the just to do justice; but destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. |
| 16 | The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. | The man who wanders out of the way of understanding will 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. | 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 transgressor for the upright. | The wicked will 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. | It is better to live in the wilderness than with a contentious and angry woman. |
| 20 | There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up. | There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it. |
| 21 | He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. | He who follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor. |
| 22 | A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof. | A wise man scales the city of the mighty and casts down the strength of its confidence. |
| 23 | Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. | Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. |
| 24 | Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath. | Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath. |
| 25 | The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour. | The desire of the slothful kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. |
| 26 | He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not. | He covets greedily all the day long; but the righteous gives and does not spare. |
| 27 | The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with a wicked mind! |
| 28 | A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. | A false witness will perish; but the man who hears speaks steadily. |
| 29 | A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way. | A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his way. |
| 30 | There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD. | 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. | The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of the LORD. |