Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as streams of water. He turns it wherever he will.
The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.
Every way of a man seems right to himself, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do what is right and true is more pleasing to the Lord than an offering.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
A high look and a heart of pride, of the evil-doer is sin.
5 The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.
The purposes of the man of industry have their outcome only in wealth; but one who is over-quick in acting will only come to be in need.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.
He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.
By their violent acts the evil-doers will be pulled away, because they have no desire to do what is right.
8 The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, his work is right.
Twisted is the way of him who is full of crime; but as for him whose heart is clean, his work is upright.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of a wicked man desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The desire of the evil-doer is fixed on evil: he has no kind feeling for his neighbour.
11 When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise, and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.
When the man of pride undergoes punishment, the simple man gets wisdom; and by watching the wise he gets knowledge.
12 A righteous man considers the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.
The Upright One, looking on the house of the evil-doer, lets sinners be overturned to their destruction.
13 He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
He whose ears are stopped at the cry of the poor, will himself get no answer to his cry for help.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
By a secret offering wrath is turned away, and the heat of angry feelings by money in the folds of the robe.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
It is a joy to the good man to do right, but it is destruction to the workers of evil.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.
18 A wicked man is a ransom for a righteous man, and the treacherous dealer for the upright.
The evil-doer will be given as a price for the life of the good man, and the worker of deceit in the place of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It is better to be living in a waste land, than with a bitter-tongued and angry woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.
There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who goes after righteousness and mercy will get life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of the confidence of it.
A wise man goes up into the town of the strong ones, and overcomes its strength in which they put their faith.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
He who keeps watch over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride.
The man of pride, lifted up in soul, is named high-hearted; he is acting in an outburst of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the hater of work is death to him, for his hands will do no work.
26 There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.
All the day the sinner goes after his desire: but the upright man gives freely, keeping nothing back.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind!
The offering of evil-doers is disgusting: how much more when they give it with an evil purpose!
28 A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears shall speak so as to endure.
A false witness will be cut off, ...
29 A wicked man hardens his face, but as for an upright man, he establishes his ways.
The evil-doer makes his face hard, but as for the upright, he gives thought to his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.
Wisdom and knowledge and wise suggestions are of no use against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but victory is from Jehovah.
The horse is made ready for the day of war, but power to overcome is from the Lord.
