Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it wherever he may desire to point out.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death.
7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
[It is] better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
[It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
