Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage 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.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [is] upright.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
17 He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
24 Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
