Proverbs 21, side by side

Two versions of the same chapter. Each row is one verse, so you can see how the wording changes.

Modern

1The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

Classic

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Modern

2All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

Classic

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Modern

3To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Classic

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Modern

4Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.

Classic

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

Modern

5The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Classic

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

Modern

6Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

Classic

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

Modern

7The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.

Classic

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

Modern

8The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Classic

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

Modern

9Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

Classic

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

Modern

10The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

Classic

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

Modern

11When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

Classic

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

Modern

12The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

Classic

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

Modern

13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

Classic

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

Modern

14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

Classic

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

Modern

15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

Classic

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Modern

16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Classic

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

Modern

17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

Classic

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

Modern

18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

Classic

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

Modern

19Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

Classic

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

Modern

20Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

Classic

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

Modern

21He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

Classic

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Modern

22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.

Classic

22A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

Modern

23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

Classic

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Modern

24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.

Classic

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Modern

25The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

Classic

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

Modern

26All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

Classic

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

Modern

27The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!

Classic

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

Modern

28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

Classic

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

Modern

29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

Classic

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

Modern

30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

Classic

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Modern

31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

Classic

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.

Your pair of translations is remembered on this device for other chapters.