Proverbs 21
1 As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
