Proverbs 21 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Pro 21:1

Pro 21:1The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD;
he guides it wherever he pleases.

Pro 21:2

Pro 21:2People may be right in their own eyes,
but the LORD examines their heart.

Pro 21:3

Pro 21:3The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just
than when we offer him sacrifices.

Pro 21:4

Pro 21:4Haughty eyes, a proud heart,
and evil actions are all sin.

Pro 21:5

Pro 21:5Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Pro 21:6

Pro 21:6Wealth created by a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.[fn]

Pro 21:7

Pro 21:7The violence of the wicked sweeps them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.

Pro 21:8

Pro 21:8The guilty walk a crooked path;
the innocent travel a straight road.

Pro 21:9

Pro 21:9It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.

Pro 21:10

Pro 21:10Evil people desire evil;
their neighbors get no mercy from them.

Pro 21:11

Pro 21:11If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded become wise;
if you instruct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

Pro 21:12

Pro 21:12The Righteous One[fn] knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.

Pro 21:13

Pro 21:13Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor
will be ignored in their own time of need.

Pro 21:14

Pro 21:14A secret gift calms anger;
a bribe under the table pacifies fury.

Pro 21:15

Pro 21:15Justice is a joy to the godly,
but it terrifies evildoers.

Pro 21:16

Pro 21:16The person who strays from common sense
will end up in the company of the dead.

Pro 21:17

Pro 21:17Those who love pleasure become poor;
those who love wine and luxury will never be rich.

Pro 21:18

Pro 21:18The wicked are punished in place of the godly,
and traitors in place of the honest.

Pro 21:19

Pro 21:19It’s better to live alone in the desert
than with a quarrelsome, complaining wife.

Pro 21:20

Pro 21:20The wise have wealth and luxury,
but fools spend whatever they get.

Pro 21:21

Pro 21:21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Pro 21:22

Pro 21:22The wise conquer the city of the strong
and level the fortress in which they trust.

Pro 21:23

Pro 21:23Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
and you will stay out of trouble.

Pro 21:24

Pro 21:24Mockers are proud and haughty;
they act with boundless arrogance.

Pro 21:25

Pro 21:25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,
for their hands refuse to work.

Pro 21:26

Pro 21:26Some people are always greedy for more,
but the godly love to give!

Pro 21:27

Pro 21:27The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable,
especially when it is offered with wrong motives.

Pro 21:28

Pro 21:28A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

Pro 21:29

Pro 21:29The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.

Pro 21:30

Pro 21:30No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the LORD.

Pro 21:31

Pro 21:31The horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but the victory belongs to the LORD.

See the NLT Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NLT Footnotes

(21:6)

As in Greek version; Hebrew reads mist for those who seek death.

(21:12)

Or The righteous man.

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For more information on this translation, see the NLT Preface.