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 heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage 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.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, 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 making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And 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.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious 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 becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
12 The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies 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.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
17 He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
18 The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
19 [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
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] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
30 [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
31 The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
