Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
29 A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
