Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.
As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 The way of man is fraudulent and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
17 He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way.
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his 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 against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
