Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it anywhere he will.
The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as streams of water. He turns it wherever he will.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
A high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to lack.
The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed back and forth of them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of man is perverse and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, 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 dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
The soul of a wicked man desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise, and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
A righteous man considers the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.
13 Whoso stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a present in the bosom, strong 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 righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
A wicked man is a ransom for a righteous man, and the treacherous dealer for 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 contentious and fretful 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 precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of the confidence of it.
23 Whoso keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.
The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He covers greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly.
A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears shall speak so as to endure.
29 A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way.
A wicked man hardens his face, but as for an upright man, he establishes his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but victory is from Jehovah.
