Proverbs 21:23-31 - Compare All Versions
Proverbs 21:23-31 NIV (New International Version)
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. The proud and arrogant person—“Mocker” is his name— behaves with insolent fury. The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with evil intent! A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully. The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 NLT (New Living Translation)
Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work. Some people are always greedy for more, but the godly love to give! The sacrifice of an evil person is detestable, especially when it is offered with wrong motives. A false witness will be cut off, but a credible witness will be allowed to speak. The wicked bluff their way through, but the virtuous think before they act. No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. The arrogant and proud person, named “Mocker,” acts with excessive arrogance. A slacker’s craving will kill him because his hands refuse to work. He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don’t hold back. The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable — how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives! A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully. A wicked person puts on a bold face, but the upright one considers his way. No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD. A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 KJV (King James Version)
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles. Proud and haughty scorner is his name, Who dealeth in proud wrath. The desire of the slothful killeth him; For his hands refuse to labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: But the righteous giveth and spareth not. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? A false witness shall perish: But the man that heareth speaketh constantly. A wicked man hardeneth his face: But as for the upright, he directeth his way. There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared against the day of battle: But safety is of the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 NKJV (New King James Version)
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. A proud and haughty man— “Scoffer” is his name; He acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the lazy man kills him, For his hands refuse to labor. He covets greedily all day long, But the righteous gives and does not spare. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he brings it with wicked intent! A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly. A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way. There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 MSG (The Message)
Watch your words and hold your tongue; you’ll save yourself a lot of grief. You know their names—Brash, Impudent, Blasphemer— intemperate hotheads, every one. Lazy people finally die of hunger because they won’t get up and go to work. Sinners are always wanting what they don’t have; the God-loyal are always giving what they do have. Religious performance by the wicked stinks; it’s even worse when they use it to get ahead. A lying witness is unconvincing; a person who speaks truth is respected. Unscrupulous people fake it a lot; honest people are sure of their steps. Nothing clever, nothing conceived, nothing contrived, can get the better of GOD. Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust GOD to bring victory.
Proverbs 21:23-31 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
One who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. “Proud,” “Arrogant,” “Scoffer,” are his names, One who acts with insolent pride. The desire of the lazy one puts him to death, For his hands refuse to work; All day long he is craving, While the righteous gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, How much more when he brings it with evil intent! A false witness will perish, But a person who listens will speak forever. A wicked person displays a bold face, But as for the upright, he makes his way sure. There is no wisdom, no understanding, And no plan against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But the victory belongs to the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 AMP (Amplified Bible)
He who guards his mouth and his tongue Guards himself from troubles. [Prov 12:13; 13:3; 18:21; James 3:2] “Proud,” “Haughty,” “Scoffer,” are his names Who acts with overbearing and insolent pride. The desire of the lazy kills him, For his hands refuse to labor; He craves all the day long [and does no work], But the righteous [willingly] gives and does not withhold [what he has]. [2 Cor 9:6-10] The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable and offensive [to the LORD]. How much more [unacceptable and insulting can it be] when he brings it with evil intention? A false witness will perish, But a man who listens to the truth will speak forever and go unchallenged. A wicked man puts on a bold face, But as for the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the confidence of integrity]. There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the LORD. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance and victory belong to the LORD.
Proverbs 21:23-31 NET (New English Translation)
The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,” acts with overbearing pride. What the sluggard desires will kill him, for his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves greedily, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. The wicked person’s sacrifice is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! A lying witness will perish, but the one who reports accurately speaks forever. A wicked person shows boldness with his face, but as for the upright, he discerns his ways. There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD. A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory is from the LORD.