Proverbs 20:21-29
Proverbs 20:21-29 The Message (MSG)
A bonanza at the beginning is no guarantee of blessing at the end. Don’t ever say, “I’ll get you for that!” Wait for GOD; he’ll settle the score. GOD hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage. The very steps we take come from GOD; otherwise how would we know where we’re going? An impulsive vow is a trap; later you’ll wish you could get out of it. After careful scrutiny, a wise leader makes a clean sweep of rebels and dolts. GOD is in charge of human life, watching and examining us inside and out. Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. Youth may be admired for vigor, but gray hair gives prestige to old age.
Proverbs 20:21-29 King James Version (KJV)
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil; But wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee. Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; And a false balance is not good. Man's goings are of the LORD; How can a man then understand his own way? It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, And after vows to make enquiry. A wise king scattereth the wicked, And bringeth the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, Searching all the inward parts of the belly. Mercy and truth preserve the king: And his throne is upholden by mercy. The glory of young men is their strength: And the beauty of old men is the grey head.
Proverbs 20:21-29 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
An inheritance gained hurriedly at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Differing weights are an abomination to the LORD, And a false scale is not good. Man’s steps are ordained by the LORD, How then can man understand his way? It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry. A wise king winnows the wicked, And drives the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. Loyalty and truth preserve the king, And he upholds his throne by righteousness. The glory of young men is their strength, And the honor of old men is their gray hair.
Proverbs 20:21-29 New Century Version (NCV)
Wealth inherited quickly in the beginning will do you no good in the end. Don’t say, “I’ll pay you back for the wrong you did.” Wait for the LORD, and he will make things right. The LORD hates dishonest weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. The LORD decides what a person will do; no one understands what his life is all about. It’s dangerous to promise something to God too quickly. After you’ve thought about it, it may be too late. A wise king sorts out the evil people, and he punishes them as they deserve. The LORD looks deep inside people and searches through their thoughts. Loyalty and truth keep a king in power; he continues to rule if he is loyal. The young glory in their strength, and the old are honored for their gray hair.
Proverbs 20:21-29 American Standard Version (ASV)
An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; But the end thereof shall not be blessed. Say not thou, I will recompense evil: Wait for Jehovah, and he will save thee. Diverse weights are an abomination to Jehovah; And a false balance is not good. A man’s goings are of Jehovah; How then can man understand his way? It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry. A wise king winnoweth the wicked, And bringeth the threshing-wheel over them. The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, Searching all his innermost parts. Kindness and truth preserve the king; And his throne is upholden by kindness. The glory of young men is their strength; And the beauty of old men is the hoary head.
Proverbs 20:21-29 New International Version (NIV)
An inheritance claimed too soon will not be blessed at the end. Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him. A person’s steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand their own way? It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows. A wise king winnows out the wicked; he drives the threshing wheel over them. The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure. The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.
Proverbs 20:21-29 New King James Version (NKJV)
An inheritance gained hastily at the beginning Will not be blessed at the end. Do not say, “I will recompense evil”; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you. Diverse weights are an abomination to the LORD, And dishonest scales are not good. A man’s steps are of the LORD; How then can a man understand his own way? It is a snare for a man to devote rashly something as holy, And afterward to reconsider his vows. A wise king sifts out the wicked, And brings the threshing wheel over them. The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne. The glory of young men is their strength, And the splendor of old men is their gray head.
Proverbs 20:21-29 Amplified Bible (AMP)
An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning Will not be blessed in the end. [Prov 28:20; Hab 2:6] Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait [expectantly] for the LORD, and He will rescue and save you. [Deut 32:35; 2 Sam 16:12; Rom 12:17-19; 1 Thess 5:15; 1 Pet 3:9] Differing weights are detestable and offensive to the LORD, And fraudulent scales are not good. Man’s steps are ordered and ordained by the LORD. How then can a man [fully] understand his way? It is a trap for a man to [speak a vow of consecration and] say rashly, “It is holy!” And [not until] afterward consider [whether he can fulfill it]. A wise king sifts out the wicked [from among the good] And drives the [threshing] wheel over them [to separate the chaff from the grain]. The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. [1 Cor 2:11] Loyalty and mercy, truth and faithfulness, protect the king, And he upholds his throne by lovingkindness. The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, And the honor of aged men is their gray head [representing wisdom and experience].
Proverbs 20:21-29 New Living Translation (NLT)
An inheritance obtained too early in life is not a blessing in the end. Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter. The LORD detests double standards; he is not pleased by dishonest scales. The LORD directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Don’t trap yourself by making a rash promise to God and only later counting the cost. A wise king scatters the wicked like wheat, then runs his threshing wheel over them. The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. Unfailing love and faithfulness protect the king; his throne is made secure through love. The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.
Proverbs 20:21-29 The Passion Translation (TPT)
If an inheritance is gained too early in life, it will not be blessed in the end. Don’t ever say, “I’m going to get even with them if it’s the last thing I do!” Wrap God’s grace around your heart and he will be the one to vindicate you. The Lord hates double standards— that’s hypocrisy at its worst! It is the Lord who directs your life, for each step you take is ordained by God to bring you closer to your destiny. So much of your life, then, remains a mystery! Be careful in making a rash promise before God, or you may be trapped by your vow and live to regret it. A wise king is able to discern corruption and remove wickedness from his kingdom. The spirit God breathed into man is like a living lamp, a shining light searching into the innermost chamber of our being. Good leadership is built on love and truth, for kindness and integrity are what keep leaders in their position of trust. We admire the young for their strength and beauty, but the dignity of the old is their wisdom.
Proverbs 20:21-29 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end. Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good. A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand his way? It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows. A wise king winnows the wicked and drives the wheel over them. The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts. Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld. The glory of young men is their strength, but the splendor of old men is their gray hair.
