Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of Jehovah as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever he will.
As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; But Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, [Even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; But every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked; But as for the pure, his work is right.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: His neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; And when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked, [How] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry aloud, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: He that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; And the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and kindness Findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.
24 The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name; He worketh in the arrogance of pride.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; For his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; But the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth not withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he bringeth it with an evil design!
28 A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; But as for the upright, he establisheth his ways.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; But victory is of Jehovah.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
