Proverbs 21 - Darby Translation (DARBY)

21 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp 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 fleeting breath of them that seek death.

7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.

15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.

20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth 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, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:

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 they bring it with a wicked purpose!

28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.

30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.

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Proverbs 21 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

21 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it. 2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts. 3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice. 4 Loftiness of eyes, and brea...
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Proverbs 21 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

21 As partings of waters, so the heart of the king is in the power of the Lord; whither ever he will, he shall bow it. (Like out-flowings of water, is the king’s heart in the Lord’s hand; he shall turn it wherever he will, or desireth.) 2 Each way of a man seemeth rightful to himself; but the Lord w...
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Proverbs 21 - World English Bible (WEB)

21 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wi...
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Proverbs 21 - The Voice (VOICE)

21 The king’s heart is like a channel of water directed by the Eternal: He chooses which way He bends it.2 Everyone may think his own way of living is right, but the Eternal examines our hearts.3 To do what is right and to seek justice— these please Him more than sacrifice.4 The lamp of the wicked l...
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Proverbs 21 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Adonai Weighs the Heart21 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 justiceis more acceptable to Adonai than sacrifice.4 Haughty eyes and a prou...
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Proverbs 21 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of th...
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Proverbs 21 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of th...
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Proverbs 21 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of t...
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Proverbs 21 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

21 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.2 All deeds are right in the sight of the doer, but the Lord weighs the heart.(A)3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(B)4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lam...
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Proverbs 21 - New Living Translation (NLT)

21 The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases. 2 People may be right in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their heart. 3 The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. 4 Haughty eyes, a proud he...
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Proverbs 21 - New Life Version (NLV)

21 The heart of the king is like rivers of water in the hand of the Lord. He turns it where He wishes. 2 Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, but the Lord knows the hearts. 3 To do what is right and good and fair is more pleasing to the Lord than gifts given on the altar in worship. 4 Eyes lift...
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Proverbs 21 - New King James Version (NKJV)

The Lord Considers the Heart21 The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord,Like the [a]rivers of water;He turns it wherever He wishes. 2 (A)Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,(B)But the Lord weighs the hearts. 3 (C)To do righteousness and justiceIs more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice...
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Proverbs 21 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

21 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 ...
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Proverbs 21 - New International Version (NIV)

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 h...
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Proverbs 21 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

21 In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is like a stream of water. The Lord directs it toward 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...
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Proverbs 21 - New English Translation (NET)

21 The king’s heart[a] is in the hand[b] of the Lord like channels of water;[c]he turns it wherever he wants.2 All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion,[d]but the Lord evaluates[e] his thoughts.[f]3 To do righteousness and justiceis more acceptable[g] to the Lord than sacrifice.[h]4 Haughty...
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