Proverbs 19:21–25

21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart,

but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

22 What a person desires is unfailing love;

better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;

then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;

he will not even bring it back to his mouth!

25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence;

rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge.

21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

22 What is desired in a man is steadfast love,

and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,

and whoever has it rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.

24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish

and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

21 There are many devices in a man’s heart;

Nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness:

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life:

And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;

He shall not be visited with evil.

24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom,

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware:

And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

21 You can make many plans,

but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

22 Loyalty makes a person attractive.

It is better to be poor than dishonest.

23 Fear of the Lord leads to life,

bringing security and protection from harm.

24 Lazy people take food in their hand

but don’t even lift it to their mouth.

25 If you punish a mocker, the simpleminded will learn a lesson;

if you correct the wise, they will be all the wiser.

21 There are many plans in a man’s heart,

Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

22 What is desired in a man is kindness,

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life,

And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;

He will not be visited with evil.

24 A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;

Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

21 People can make all kinds of plans,

but only the Lord’s plan will happen.

22 People want others to be loyal,

so it is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23 Those who respect the Lord will live

and be satisfied, unbothered by trouble.

24 Though the lazy person puts his hand in the dish,

he won’t lift the food to his mouth.

25 Whip those who make fun of wisdom, and perhaps foolish people will gain some wisdom.

Correct those with understanding, and they will gain knowledge.

21 There are many devices in a man’s heart;

But the counsel of Jehovah, that shall stand.

22 That which maketh a man to be desired is his kindness;

And a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life;

And he that hath it shall abide satisfied;

He shall not be visited with evil.

24 The sluggard burieth his hand in the dish,

And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

And reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

21 Many are the thoughts in a man’s heart, but the counsel of Jehovah, that doth stand.

22 The charm of a man is his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of Jehovah tendeth to life, and he that hath it shall rest satisfied without being visited with evil.

24 A sluggard burieth his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware; reprove the intelligent, and he will understand knowledge.

21 Many plans are in the human heart, 

but the advice of the Lord will endure. 

22 Loyalty is desirable in a person, 

and it is better to be poor than a liar. 

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life, 

and such a person will rest easy without suffering harm. 

24 A lazy person puts his fork in his food. 

He doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth. 

25 Strike a mocker, and a gullible person may learn a lesson. 

Warn an understanding person, and he will gain more knowledge. 

21 Many plans are in a man’s heart,

but the Lord’s decree will prevail.

22 What is desirable in a man is his fidelity;

better to be a poor man than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;

one will sleep at night without danger.

24 The slacker buries his hand in the bowl;

he doesn’t even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a mocker, and the inexperienced learn a lesson;

rebuke the discerning, and he gains knowledge.

21 The human mind may devise many plans,

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.

22 What is desirable in a person is loyalty,

and it is better to be poor than a liar.

23 The fear of the Lord is life indeed;

filled with it one rests secure

and suffers no harm.

24 The lazy person buries a hand in the dish

and will not even bring it back to the mouth.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;

reprove the intelligent, and they will gain knowledge.

21 Many plans are in the heart of a man,

but the purpose of Yahweh will be established.

22 The craving of a man is his steadfast loyalty,

and it is better to be poor than a liar.

23 Fear of Yahweh leads to life;

he who is filled with it will rest—he will not suffer harm.

24 A lazy person buries his hand in the dish,

and even to his mouth he will not bring it back.

25 The scoffer you shall strike, and the simple, may they learn prudence,

and reprove the intelligent and he will gain knowledge.

21 A man may have many plans in his heart.

But the Lord’s purpose wins out in the end.

22 Every man longs for love that never fails.

It is better to be poor than to be a liar.

23 Having respect for the Lord leads to life.

Then you will be content and free from trouble.

24 A person who doesn’t want to work leaves his hand in the dish.

He won’t even bring it back up to his mouth!

25 If you whip a person who makes fun of others,

childish people will learn to be wise.

If you warn someone who already understands what is right,

he will gain even more knowledge.