Proverbs 21:1-22
Proverbs 21:1-22 The Message (MSG)
Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by GOD; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses. We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives. Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to GOD than religious performance. Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked— are just plain sin. Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind. Make it to the top by lying and cheating; get paid with smoke and a promotion—to death! The wicked get buried alive by their loot because they refuse to use it to help others. Mixed motives twist life into tangles; pure motives take you straight down the road. Better to live alone in a tumbledown shack than share a mansion with a nagging spouse. Wicked souls love to make trouble; they feel nothing for friends and neighbors. Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening. A God-loyal person will see right through the wicked and undo the evil they’ve planned. If you stop your ears to the cries of the poor, your cries will go unheard, unanswered. A quietly given gift soothes an irritable person; a heartfelt present cools a hot temper. Good people celebrate when justice triumphs, but for the workers of evil it’s a bad day. Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts. You’re addicted to thrills? What an empty life! The pursuit of pleasure is never satisfied. What a bad person plots against the good, boomerangs; the plotter gets it in the end. Better to live in a tent in the wild than with a cross and petulant spouse. Valuables are safe in a wise person’s home; fools put it all out for yard sales. Whoever goes hunting for what is right and kind finds life itself—glorious life! One sage entered a whole city of armed soldiers— their trusted defenses fell to pieces!
Proverbs 21:1-22 King James Version (KJV)
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death. The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; Because they refuse to do judgment. The way of man is froward and strange: But as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than with a brawling woman in a wide house. The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes. When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: But God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger: And a reward in the bosom strong wrath. It is joy to the just to do judgment: But destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall remain in the congregation of the dead. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the transgressor for the upright. It is better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and an angry woman. There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man spendeth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Proverbs 21:1-22 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the LORD more than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage, But everyone who is hasty comes surely to poverty. The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, Because they refuse to act with justice. The way of a guilty man is crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. It is better to live in a corner of a roof Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. When the scoffer is punished, the naive becomes wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. The righteous one considers the house of the wicked, Turning the wicked to ruin. He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be answered. A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath. The exercise of justice is joy for the righteous, But is terror to the workers of iniquity. A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not become rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous is in the place of the upright. It is better to live in a desert land Than with a contentious and vexing woman. There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man swallows it up. He who pursues righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
Proverbs 21:1-22 New Century Version (NCV)
The LORD can control a king’s mind as he controls a river; he can direct it as he pleases. You may believe you are doing right, but the LORD judges your reasons. Doing what is right and fair is more important to the LORD than sacrifices. Proud looks, proud thoughts, and evil actions are sin. The plans of hard-working people earn a profit, but those who act too quickly become poor. Wealth that comes from telling lies vanishes like a mist and leads to death. The violence of the wicked will destroy them, because they refuse to do what is right. Guilty people live dishonest lives, but honest people do right. It is better to live in a corner on the roof than inside the house with a quarreling wife. Evil people only want to harm others. Their neighbors get no mercy from them. If you punish those who make fun of wisdom, a foolish person may gain some wisdom. But if you teach the wise, they will get knowledge. God, who is always right, watches the house of the wicked and brings ruin on every evil person. Whoever ignores the poor when they cry for help will also cry for help and not be answered. A secret gift will calm an angry person; a present given in secrecy will quiet great anger. When justice is done, good people are happy, but evil people are ruined. Whoever does not use good sense will end up among the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and perfume will never be rich. Wicked people will suffer instead of good people, and those who cannot be trusted will suffer instead of those who do right. It is better to live alone in the desert than with a quarreling and complaining wife. Wise people’s houses are full of the best foods and olive oil, but fools waste everything they have. Whoever tries to live right and be loyal finds life, success, and honor. A wise person can defeat a city full of warriors and tear down the defenses they trust in.
Proverbs 21:1-22 American Standard Version (ASV)
The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice. A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty hasteth only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death. The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice. The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right. It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house. The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge. The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, How the wicked are overthrown to their ruin. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard. A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath. It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity. The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead. He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous cometh in the stead of the upright. It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman. There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up. He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
Proverbs 21:1-22 New International Version (NIV)
In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare. The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor. One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
Proverbs 21:1-22 New King James Version (NKJV)
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty. Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death. The violence of the wicked will destroy them, Because they refuse to do justice. The way of a guilty man is perverse; But as for the pure, his work is right. Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman. The soul of the wicked desires evil; His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes. When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; But when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge. The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness. Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe behind the back, strong wrath. It is a joy for the just to do justice, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity. A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, And the unfaithful for the upright. Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. There is desirable treasure, And oil in the dwelling of the wise, But a foolish man squanders it. He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold.
Proverbs 21:1-22 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it whichever way He wishes. [Ex 10:1, 2; Ezra 6:22] Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives]. [Prov 24:12; Luke 16:15] To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed]. [1 Sam 15:22; Prov 15:8; Is 1:11; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:7, 8] Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God]. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty. Acquiring treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the seeking and pursuit of death. The violence of the wicked will [return to them and] drag them away [like fish caught in a net], Because they refuse to act with justice. The way of the guilty is [exceedingly] crooked, But as for the pure, his conduct is upright. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop [on the flat roof, exposed to the weather] Than in a house shared with a quarrelsome (contentious) woman. The soul of the wicked desires evil [like an addictive substance]; His neighbor finds no compassion in his eyes. [James 2:16] When the scoffer is punished, the naive [observes the lesson and] becomes wise; But when the wise and teachable person is instructed, he receives knowledge. [Prov 19:25] The righteous one keeps an eye on the house of the wicked— How the wicked are cast down to ruin. Whoever shuts his ears at the cry of the poor Will cry out himself and not be answered. [Matt 18:30-34; James 2:13] A gift in secret subdues anger, And a bribe [hidden] in the pocket, strong wrath. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous (the upright, the one in right standing with God), But to the evildoers it is disaster. A man who wanders from the way of understanding (godly wisdom) Will remain in the assembly of the dead. He who loves [only selfish] pleasure will become a poor man; He who loves and is devoted to wine and [olive] oil will not become rich. The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, And the treacherous in the place of the upright [for they fall into their own traps]. It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and troublesome woman. There is precious treasure and oil in the house of the wise [who prepare for the future], But a short-sighted and foolish man swallows it up and wastes it. He who earnestly seeks righteousness and loyalty Finds life, righteousness, and honor. [Prov 15:9; Matt 5:6] A wise man scales the city [walls] of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
Proverbs 21:1-22 New Living Translation (NLT)
The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty. Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap. The violence of the wicked sweeps them away, because they refuse to do what is just. The guilty walk a crooked path; the innocent travel a straight road. It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home. Evil people desire evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them. If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise; if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser. The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked; he will bring disaster on them. Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. A secret gift calms anger; a bribe under the table pacifies fury. Justice is a joy to the godly, but it terrifies evildoers. The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead. Those who love pleasure become poor; those who love wine and luxury will never be rich. The wicked are punished in place of the godly, and traitors in place of the honest. It’s better to live alone in the desert than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife. The wise have wealth and luxury, but fools spend whatever they get. Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust.
Proverbs 21:1-22 The Passion Translation (TPT)
It’s as easy for God to steer a king’s heart for his purposes as it is for him to direct the course of a stream. We may think we’re right all the time, but God thoroughly examines our motives. It pleases God more when we demonstrate godliness and justice than when we merely offer him a sacrifice. Arrogance, superiority, and pride are the fruits of sin. Brilliant ideas pay off and bring you prosperity, but making hasty, impatient decisions will only lead to financial loss. You can make a fortune dishonestly, but your crime will hold you in the snares of death! Violent rebels don’t have a chance, for their rejection of truth and their love of evil will drag them deeper into darkness. You can discern that a person is guilty by his devious actions and the innocence of a person by his honest, sincere ways. It’s better to live all alone in a rickety shack than to share a castle with a crabby spouse! The wicked always crave what is evil; they’ll show no mercy and get no mercy. Senseless people learn their lessons the hard way, but the wise are teachable. A godly, righteous person has the ability to bring the light of instruction to the wicked even though he despises what the wicked do. If you close your heart to the cries of the poor, then I’ll close my ears when you cry out to me! Try giving a secret gift to the one who is angry with you and watch his anger disappear. A kind, generous gift goes a long way to soothe the anger of one who is livid. When justice is served, the lovers of God celebrate and rejoice, but the wicked begin to panic. When you forsake the ways of wisdom, you will wander into the realm of dark spirits. To love pleasure for pleasure’s sake will introduce you to poverty. Indulging in a life of luxury will never make you wealthy. The wicked bring on themselves the very suffering they planned for others, for their treachery comes back to haunt them. It’s better to live in a hut in the wilderness than with a crabby, scolding spouse! In wisdom’s house you’ll find delightful treasures and the oil of the Holy Spirit. But the stupid squander what they’ve been given. The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction. A warrior filled with wisdom ascends into the high place and releases breakthrough, bringing down the strongholds of the mighty.
Proverbs 21:1-22 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe, strong wrath. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
