Proverbs 21 – NIV & CCBT

New International Version

Proverbs 21:1-31

1In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

that he channels toward all who please him.

2A person may think their own ways are right,

but the Lord weighs the heart.

3To do what is right and just

is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart—

the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

5The plans of the diligent lead to profit

as surely as haste leads to poverty.

6A fortune made by a lying tongue

is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death

7The violence of the wicked will drag them away,

for they refuse to do what is right.

8The way of the guilty is devious,

but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

9Better to live on a corner of the roof

than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

10The wicked crave evil;

their neighbors get no mercy from them.

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;

by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

12The Righteous One21:12 Or The righteous person takes note of the house of the wicked

and brings the wicked to ruin.

13Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor

will also cry out and not be answered.

14A gift given in secret soothes anger,

and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.

15When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous

but terror to evildoers.

16Whoever strays from the path of prudence

comes to rest in the company of the dead.

17Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;

whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous,

and the unfaithful for the upright.

19Better to live in a desert

than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.

20The wise store up choice food and olive oil,

but fools gulp theirs down.

21Whoever pursues righteousness and love

finds life, prosperity21:21 Or righteousness and honor.

22One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty

and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

23Those who guard their mouths and their tongues

keep themselves from calamity.

24The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name—

behaves with insolent fury.

25The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,

because his hands refuse to work.

26All day long he craves for more,

but the righteous give without sparing.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—

how much more so when brought with evil intent!

28A false witness will perish,

but a careful listener will testify successfully.

29The wicked put up a bold front,

but the upright give thought to their ways.

30There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan

that can succeed against the Lord.

31The horse is made ready for the day of battle,

but victory rests with the Lord.

Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)

箴言 21:1-31

1耶和華掌管君王的心,

易如支配壟溝的流水。

2人自以為行事正確,

但耶和華衡量人心。

3秉公行義比獻祭更蒙耶和華喜悅。

4高傲的眼,狂妄的心,惡人的燈,

都是罪惡。

5勤勞者的計劃必致富足,

行事急躁的人必致貧困。

6騙來的財如過眼雲霧,

使人掉進死亡的陷阱。

7惡人的暴力必毀滅自己,

因為他們行事不公不義。

8犯罪的人行徑扭曲,

純潔的人行為正直。

9寧願住在房頂的一角,

也不跟爭鬧之妻同屋。

10惡人貪戀邪惡,

對鄰舍殘忍無情。

11懲罰嘲諷者,愚人得智慧;

訓誡智者,他便長見識。

12公義的上帝鑒察惡人的家,

祂必使他們滅亡。

13掩耳不聽窮人呼求的,

他將來求救也無人管。

14暗中送的禮物能平息憤怒,

塞進懷裡的賄賂止息盛怒。

15正義得到伸張,

義人喜、惡人怕。

16人偏離明智之道,

終必與陰魂為伍。

17貪圖享受必窮困,

奢華宴樂難富足。

18惡人作義人的贖價,

奸徒替正直人受苦。

19寧願獨居曠野,

不跟吵鬧易怒的女子同住。

20智者家中積存寶物和油,

愚人將所有的揮霍一空。

21追求公義與慈愛的,

必尋得生命、公義和尊榮。

22智者攀上勇士的城池,

摧毀他們倚仗的堅壘。

23管住口舌,免遭禍患。

24嘲諷者狂妄自大,

行事驕橫無比。

25懶人的慾望害死自己,

因為他的手不肯做工。

26懶人整天貪得無厭,

義人施捨毫不吝嗇。

27惡人的祭物已經可憎,

何況他懷著惡意來獻!

28作偽證的終滅亡,

道實情的常發言。

29惡人虛張聲勢,

正直人謹慎行事。

30任何智慧、悟性和謀略,

都不能對抗耶和華。

31馬為爭戰之日預備,

勝敗由耶和華決定。