Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, 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 making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And 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.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious 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 becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies 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.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
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] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
