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 rivers of water: 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 pondereth the hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
To do justice and judgment [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.
An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing 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 of every one [that is] hasty 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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
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 with a brawling woman in a wide house.
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 simple 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 [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
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 heard.
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
[It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] 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 wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation 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 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 [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry 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] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, 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 casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
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.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
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.
He 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] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
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 directeth 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 safety [is] of the LORD.
