Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as streams of water. He turns it wherever he will.
The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
5 The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.
Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.
Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.
The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
8 The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, his work is right.
Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
10 The soul of a wicked man desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
11 When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise, and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.
When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
12 A righteous man considers the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.
The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
13 He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
18 A wicked man is a ransom for a righteous man, and the treacherous dealer for the upright.
The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.
The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of the confidence of it.
The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride.
A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
26 There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.
Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind!
The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
28 A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears shall speak so as to endure.
The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
29 A wicked man hardens his face, but as for an upright man, he establishes his ways.
The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.
Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but victory is from Jehovah.
You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
