Proverbs 21
1 Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 Every way of a man seems right to himself. But the Lord weighs hearts.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
6 Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 The robberies of the impious will drag them down, because they were not willing to do judgment.
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 The perverse way of a man is foreign. But whoever is pure: his work is upright.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.
It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 The soul of the impious desires evil; he will not take pity on his neighbor.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
11 When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of the upright.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to live in a deserted land, than with a quarrelsome and emotional woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 There is desirable treasure, as well as oil, in the habitations of the just. And the imprudent man will waste it.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 A proud and arrogant one is also called ignorant, if he, in anger, acts according to pride.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 Desires kill the lazy, for his hands are not willing to work at all.
The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifices of the impious are abominable, because they are offered out of wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle. But the Lord bestows salvation.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
