Proverbs 21:1-5 - Compare All Versions

Proverbs 21:1-5 NIV (New International Version)

In the LORD’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him. A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin. The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Proverbs 21:1-5 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)

The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

Proverbs 21:1-5 NLT (New Living Translation)

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases. People may be right in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their heart. The LORD is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices. Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin. Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Proverbs 21:1-5 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)

A king’s heart is like channeled water in the  LORD’s hand: He directs it wherever he chooses.  All a person’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts.  Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the  LORD than sacrifice.  The lamp that guides the wicked — haughty eyes and an arrogant heart   — is sin. The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit, but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.

Proverbs 21:1-5 KJV (King James Version)

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, As the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; But of every one that is hasty only to want.

Proverbs 21:1-5 NKJV (New King James Version)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, But those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.

Proverbs 21:1-5 MSG (The Message)

Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by GOD; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses. We justify our actions by appearances; GOD examines our motives. Clean living before God and justice with our neighbors mean far more to GOD than religious performance. Arrogance and pride—distinguishing marks in the wicked— are just plain sin. Careful planning puts you ahead in the long run; hurry and scurry puts you further behind.

Proverbs 21:1-5 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He pleases. Every person’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD examines the hearts. To do righteousness and justice Is preferred by the LORD more than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin. The plans of the diligent certainly lead to advantage, But everyone who is in a hurry certainly comes to poverty.

Proverbs 21:1-5 AMP (Amplified Bible)

The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it whichever way He wishes. [Ex 10:1, 2; Ezra 6:22] Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the LORD weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives]. [Prov 24:12; Luke 16:15] To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice [for wrongs repeatedly committed]. [1 Sam 15:22; Prov 15:8; Is 1:11; Hos 6:6; Mic 6:7, 8] Haughty and arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God]. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance and advantage, But everyone who acts in haste comes surely to poverty.

Proverbs 21:1-5 NET (New English Translation)

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD like channels of water; he turns it wherever he wants. All of a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart – the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. The plans of the diligent lead only to plenty, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.