Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: 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 exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, 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 of every one that is hasty, 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 fleeting breath of them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
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 neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh 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 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked 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 himself shall cry, and 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, vehement fury.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
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 shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth mirth 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 a treacherous [man] 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 irritable woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; 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 mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth 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 Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
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 work:
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth 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 abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he bringeth it with an evil design!
28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
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 way.
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 for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
