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Proverbs 21
Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 21
Tree of Life Version
Adonai Weighs the Heart
21 A king’s heart is like a stream of water in the hand of Adonai;
he directs it wherever He wants.[a]
2 All a man’s ways seem right in his own eyes,
but Adonai weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to Adonai than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—
the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 Plans of the diligent surely lead to gain,
but all who are hasty come only to loss.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue
is like a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Violence and Ruin of the Wicked
7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
because they refuse to act justly.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.
9 It is better to live on a corner of a roof
than in a house shared
with a quarrelsome wife.
10 A wicked soul craves evil—
his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When a mocker is punished, the naïve become wise.
When a wise person is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous one considers the house of the wicked,
throwing the wicked down to their ruin.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor,
will also cry out but not be answered.
14 A gift in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe given secretly, fierce rage.
15 Doing justice brings joy to the righteous,
and terror to those who do evil.
16 Whoever strays from the path of wisdom
ends up in the congregation of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure becomes poor.
Whoever loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous
and the faithless for the upright.
19 It is better to live in a desert land
than with a quarrelsome, worrisome wife.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise person’s dwelling,
but a foolish person devours all he has.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy
finds life, prosperity and honor.
22 A wise person scales the city of warriors
and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue
keeps his soul out of troubles.
24 A proud and haughty man
—Mocker is his name—
acts with overbearing pride.
25 A slacker’s craving will kill him,
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves greedily,
yet the righteous one gives and does not hold back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination—
how much more when he brings it with evil intent?
28 A false witness will perish,
but a man who hears will speak forever.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face,
but the upright man considers his ways.
30 There is no wisdom,
there is no understanding,
there is no counsel—
against Adonai.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory comes from Adonai.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 21:1 cf. Luke 16:15.
Proverbs 21
New International Version
Proverbs 21
New International Version
21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water
that he channels toward all who please him.(A)
2 A person may think their own ways are right,
but the Lord weighs the heart.(B)
3 To do what is right and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(C)
4 Haughty eyes(D) and a proud heart—
the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit(E)
as surely as haste leads to poverty.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away,(G)
for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious,(H)
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.(I)
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.(J)
14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(N)
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.(O)
16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence
comes to rest in the company of the dead.(P)
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.(Q)
18 The wicked become a ransom(R) for the righteous,
and the unfaithful for the upright.
19 Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(S)
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(V)
and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.
24 The proud and arrogant person(Y)—“Mocker” is his name—
behaves with insolent fury.
25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,(Z)
because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous(AA) give without sparing.(AB)
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(AC)—
how much more so when brought with evil intent!(AD)
29 The wicked put up a bold front,
but the upright give thought to their ways.(AG)
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
but victory rests with the Lord.(AJ)
Footnotes
- 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
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.