Proverbs 21

Highlighted words differ from the KJV. Most differences are matters of wording, style or the age of the English, not of meaning; a few reflect different manuscripts.

KJV WEB

1
KJVThe king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
WEBThe king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2
KJVEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
WEBEvery way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.
3
KJVTo do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
WEBTo do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4
KJVAn high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
WEBA high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5
KJVThe thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
WEBThe plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6
KJVThe getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
WEBGetting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7
KJVThe robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
WEBThe violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8
KJVThe way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
WEBThe way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9
KJVIt is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
WEBIt is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10
KJVThe soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
WEBThe soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11
KJVWhen the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
WEBWhen the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12
KJVThe righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
WEBThe Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13
KJVWhoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
WEBWhoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14
KJVA gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
WEBA gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15
KJVIt is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
WEBIt is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16
KJVThe man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
WEBThe man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17
KJVHe that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
WEBHe who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.
18
KJVThe wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
WEBThe wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
19
KJVIt is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
WEBIt is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20
KJVThere is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
WEBThere is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21
KJVHe that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
WEBHe who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22
KJVA wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
WEBA wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23
KJVWhoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
WEBWhoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24
KJVProud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
WEBThe proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25
KJVThe desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
WEBThe desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26
KJVHe coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
WEBThere are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
27
KJVThe sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
WEBThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28
KJVA false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
WEBA false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29
KJVA wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
WEBA wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30
KJVThere is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
WEBThere is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
31
KJVThe horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
WEBThe horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

King James Version (1769 text), public domain outside the United Kingdom, where Crown letters patent apply.
World English Bible (WEB), public domain. “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org.