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.
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
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, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage 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 purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those 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 will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused 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.
Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy 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 longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
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 becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become rich.
Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
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] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.
Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, 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 city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The longing of the slothful will kill him; for his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth 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, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
