Proverbs 21 | English Standard Version

English Standard Version

1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. (Ezr 6:22) 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. (1Sa 16:7; Pr 12:15; Pr 16:2; Pr 24:12; Lu 16:15; 1Co 4:4)

1Sa 16:7Pr 12:15Pr 16:2Pr 24:12Lu 16:151Co 4:4

3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (1Sa 15:22; Pr 15:8) 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp^[1] of the wicked, are sin. (1Ki 11:36; Ps 101:5; Pr 6:17) 5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. (Pr 10:4; Pr 11:24; Pr 14:23; Pr 19:2; Pr 22:16)

Pr 10:4Pr 11:24Pr 14:23Pr 19:2Pr 22:16

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.^[2] (Job 13:25; Pr 8:36; Pr 10:2; Pr 13:11; Pr 20:21)

Job 13:25Pr 8:36Pr 10:2Pr 13:11Pr 20:21

7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just. (Jer 30:23) 8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is upright. (Pr 2:15) 9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. (Pr 19:13; Pr 21:19; Pr 25:24; Pr 27:15)

Pr 19:13Pr 21:19Pr 25:24Pr 27:15

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes. 11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge. (Ps 1:1; Pr 19:25) 12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin. (Ps 37:35) 13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered. (Mt 18:30; Jas 2:13) 14 A gift in secret averts anger, and a concealed bribe,^[3] strong wrath. (Pr 17:8; Pr 18:16) 15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. (Pr 10:29) 16 One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead. (Ps 49:14) 17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich. 18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the traitor for the upright. (Pr 11:8; Isa 43:3) 19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman. (Pr 21:9) 20 Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man’s dwelling, but a foolish man devours it. (Job 20:15; Job 20:18; Ps 112:3) 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. (1Ki 3:11; Pr 3:3; Pr 3:16; Pr 4:22; Pr 15:9; Mt 5:6; Mt 6:33)

1Ki 3:11Pr 3:3Pr 3:16Pr 4:22Pr 15:9Mt 5:6Mt 6:33

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. (2Sa 5:6; Pr 24:5; Ec 7:19; Ec 9:14)

2Sa 5:6Pr 24:5Ec 7:19Ec 9:14

23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. (Pr 12:13; Pr 13:3; Pr 22:5) 24 “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. (Ps 1:1; Pr 1:22) 25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. (Pr 13:4) 26 All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. (Ps 37:26) 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. (Pr 15:8; Pr 24:9; Isa 66:3) 28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. (Pr 19:5; Pr 19:9) 29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to^[4] his ways. (Ps 119:5) 30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord. (Pr 19:21; Isa 8:9; 1Co 3:19) 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. (Ps 20:7; Ps 33:17; Isa 31:1; Jer 3:23)

Ps 20:7Ps 33:17Isa 31:1Jer 3:23

New International Version

from Biblica

1 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels towards all who please him. 2 A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. 3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. 4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart – the unploughed field of the wicked – produce sin. 5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. 6 A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour and a deadly snare.^[1] 7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is right. 8 The way of the guilty is devious, 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. 10 The wicked crave evil; their neighbours get no mercy from them. 11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge. 12 The Righteous One^[2] takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin. 13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. 14 A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath. 15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers. 16 Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead. 17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. 18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright. 19 Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife. 20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down. 21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity^[3] and honour. 22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty and pull down the stronghold in which they trust. 23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. 24 The proud and arrogant person – ‘Mocker’ is his name – behaves with insolent fury. 25 The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. 26 All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. 27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable – how much more so when brought with evil intent! 28 A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. 29 The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. 30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. 31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.

New International Reader’s Version

from Biblica

1 In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is like a stream of water. The LORD directs it towards all those who please him. 2 A person might think their own ways are right. But the LORD knows what they are thinking. 3 Do what is right and fair. The LORD accepts that more than sacrifices. 4 The proud eyes and hearts of sinful people are like a field not ploughed. Those things produce nothing good. 5 The plans of people who work hard succeed. You can be just as sure that those in a hurry will become poor. 6 A fortune made by people who tell lies amounts to nothing and leads to death. 7 The harmful things that evil people do will drag them away. They refuse to do what is right. 8 The path of those who are guilty is crooked. But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest. 9 It is better to live on a corner of a roof than to share a house with a nagging wife. 10 Sinful people long to do evil. They don’t show their neighbours any mercy. 11 When you punish someone who makes fun of others, childish people get wise. By paying attention to wise people, the childish get knowledge. 12 The Blameless One knows where sinners live. And he destroys them. 13 Whoever refuses to listen to the cries of poor people will also cry out and not be answered. 14 A secret gift calms down anger. A hidden favour softens great anger. 15 When you do what is fair, you make godly people glad. But you terrify those who do what is evil. 16 Whoever leaves the path of understanding ends up with those who are dead. 17 Anyone who loves pleasure will become poor. Anyone who loves wine and olive oil will never be rich. 18 Evil people become the payment for setting godly people free. Those who aren’t faithful are the payment for honest people. 19 It is better to live in a desert than to live with a nagging wife who loves to argue. 20 Wise people store up the best food and olive oil. But foolish people eat up everything they have. 21 Anyone who wants to be godly and loving finds life, success and honour. 22 A wise person can attack a strong city. They can pull down the place of safety its people trust in. 23 Those who are careful about what they say keep themselves out of trouble. 24 A proud person is called a mocker. He thinks much too highly of himself. 25 Some people will die while they are still hungry. That’s because their hands refuse to work. 26 All day long they hunger for more. But godly people give without holding back. 27 God hates sacrifices that are brought by evil people. He hates it even more when they bring them for the wrong reason. 28 Witnesses who aren’t honest will die. But anyone who listens carefully will be a successful witness. 29 Sinful people try to look as if they were bold. But honest people think about how they live. 30 No wisdom, wise saying or plan can succeed against the LORD. 31 You can prepare a horse for the day of battle. But the power to win comes from the LORD.

King James Version

1 The king' 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.

Einheitsübersetzung 2016

from Katholisches Bibelwerk

1 Wie ein Wasserbach ist das Herz des Königs in der Hand des HERRN; / er lenkt es, wohin er will. 2 Jeder meint, sein Verhalten sei richtig, / doch der HERR prüft die Herzen. (Pr 16:2) 3 Gerechtigkeit üben und Recht / ist dem HERRN lieber als Schlachtopfer. (1Sa 15:22; Ps 51:18; Ho 6:6) 4 Hoffart der Augen, Übermut des Herzens - / die Leuchte der Frevler ist Sünde. 5 Die Pläne des Fleißigen bringen Gewinn, / doch der hastige Mensch hat nur Mangel. 6 Schätze erwerben mit verlogener Zunge / ist Jagen nach dem Windhauch und Suchen nach dem Tod. 7 Gewalttat reißt die Frevler hinweg, / denn sie weigern sich, das Rechte zu tun. 8 Der Weg des Unehrlichen ist gewunden, / aber das Tun des Lauteren ist gerade. 9 Besser in einer Ecke des Daches wohnen / als eine zänkische Frau im gemeinsamen Haus. 10 Das Verlangen des Frevlers geht nach dem Bösen, / sein Nächster findet bei ihm kein Erbarmen. 11 Muss der Zuchtlose büßen, so wird der Unerfahrene weise, / belehrt man den Weisen, so nimmt er Einsicht an. 12 Der Gerechte handelt klug am Haus des Frevlers, / wenn er die Frevler ins Unheil stürzt. 13 Wer sein Ohr verschließt vor dem Schreien des Armen, / wird selbst nicht erhört, wenn er um Hilfe ruft. 14 Eine heimliche Gabe besänftigt den Zorn, / ein Geschenk aus dem Gewandbausch den heftigen Grimm. (Pr 17:23) 15 Der Gerechte freut sich, wenn Recht geschieht, / doch den Übeltäter versetzt das in Schrecken. 16 Wer abirrt vom Weg der Einsicht, / wird bald in der Versammlung der Totengeister ruhen. 17 Der Not verfällt, wer Vergnügen liebt, / wer Wein und Salböl liebt, wird nicht reich. 18 Für den Gerechten dient der Frevler als Lösegeld, / anstelle des Redlichen der Treulose. 19 Besser in der Wüste hausen / als Ärger mit einer zänkischen Frau. 20 Ein kostbarer Schatz und Salböl sind in der Wohnung des Weisen, / aber ein törichter Mensch vergeudet es. 21 Wer nach Gerechtigkeit und Güte strebt, / findet Leben, Gerechtigkeit und Ehre. 22 Der Weise ersteigt die Stadt der Mächtigen / und stürzt das Bollwerk, auf das sie vertraut. 23 Wer seinen Mund und seine Zunge behütet, / der behütet sein Leben vor Drangsal. 24 Der Freche und Stolze, einen Zuchtlosen nennt man ihn, / er handelt in maßlosem Übermut. 25 Den Faulen bringt sein Begehren um, / denn zu arbeiten weigern sich seine Hände. 26 Das Begehren der Gier währt den ganzen Tag, / der Gerechte aber gibt, ohne zu geizen. 27 Das Opfer der Frevler ist ein Gräuel, / zumal wenn es in schlechter Absicht dargebracht wird. (Pr 15:8) 28 Ein falscher Zeuge geht zugrunde, / wer aber zu hören versteht, redet, was Bestand hat. (Pr 19:5) 29 Der Frevler zeigt Trotz in seiner Miene, / der Redliche ordnet seine Wege. 30 Keine Weisheit gibt es, keine Einsicht, / keinen Rat gegenüber dem HERRN. 31 Das Ross ist gerüstet für den Tag der Schlacht, / doch der Sieg steht beim HERRN.