Proverbs 21
1 The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
6 Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
9 It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
13 If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
14 A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
17 If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.
19 It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
It is better to dwell in a desert land. than with a contentious and irritable woman.
20 The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.
