Proverbs 21
1 Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.
2 Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 To exercise righteousness and justice 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 Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 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 tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those 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 will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy 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 longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace 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 taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
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 bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
[It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
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 in which they trusted.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth 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 an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well 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 for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
