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 heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
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, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, 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 making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused 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 a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [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 sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious 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 becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
17 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
18 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, 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.
The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
24 The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
27 The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
29 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares 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 YHWH.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
