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 is in YHWH's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 YHWH weighs the hearts.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to YHWH than sacrifice.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
A high look, 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 plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent 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 the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy 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 mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly 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 who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves 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; the treacherous for 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 fretful woman.
20 The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.
27 The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind.
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against YHWH.
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 victory is with YHWH.
