Proverbs 21
1 The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
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.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the 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 industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
7 The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
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 sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
13 If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
14 A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
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 good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, 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 delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
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 the Lord giveth safety.
