Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
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 lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is 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 live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.
12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will 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.
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves 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.
A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
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 detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.
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 the victory belongs to Yahweh.
