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 LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 weighs the hearts.
3 To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
A high look and a proud heart, 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.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
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 the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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 the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy 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 mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, 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 righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction 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 who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t 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 is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous 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 a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful 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 precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.
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 an abomination— how much more, when he brings 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 will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
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 for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.
