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 in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
2 Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
6 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
8 The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour 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 the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin 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 that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
17 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
22 The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
25 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
29 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
