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.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
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 bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked man craves 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 receiveth knowledge.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds 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 scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
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 detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
