Proverbs 21
1 THE king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: 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 pondereth the hearts.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 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 of every one that is hasty 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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
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 with a brawling woman in a wide house.
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 simple 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 man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
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 heard.
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 reward in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be 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 wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
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 shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for 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 the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth 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, righteousness, 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 casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
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 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
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 He 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 abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
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 heareth speaketh constantly.
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 directeth 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 safety is of the Lord.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
