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.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it wherever he may desire to point out.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and 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 want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and 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 a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
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 talkative and passionate woman.
20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
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 help is of the Lord.
