Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the 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 dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel 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 with the Lord is the victory.
