Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man seems right to himself. But the Lord weighs hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices.
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
The robberies of the impious will drag them down, because they were not willing to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
The perverse way of a man is foreign. But whoever is pure: his work is upright.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the impious desires evil; he will not take pity on his neighbor.
11 When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.
15 To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.
16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It is better to live in a deserted land, than with a quarrelsome and emotional woman.
20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
There is desirable treasure, as well as oil, in the habitations of the just. And the imprudent man will waste it.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.
24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
A proud and arrogant one is also called ignorant, if he, in anger, acts according to pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Desires kill the lazy, for his hands are not willing to work at all.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
The sacrifices of the impious are abominable, because they are offered out of wickedness.
28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle. But the Lord bestows salvation.
