< Proverbs 21 >
1 The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
5 Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth 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 false tongue Is the 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 rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into 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 shall cry aloud, 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 pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion 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 that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will 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 shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
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.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, 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 scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
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 trouble.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth 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 bringeth it with an evil design!
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, 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 victory is from the LORD.