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.
The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
5 The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] only to want.
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 tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] 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 of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
[It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
[There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
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 the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.
