Proverbs 21
1 The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
The king's heart is in the hand of Jehovah as streams of water. He turns it wherever he will.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
A high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
The thoughts of a diligent man lead only to abundance, but everyone who is hasty, only to want.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapor driven to and fro by those who seek death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [is] upright.
The way of him who is laden with guilt is exceedingly crooked, but as for a pure man, his work is right.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious in his eyes.
The soul of a wicked man desires evil. His neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
When a scoffer is punished, a simple man is made wise, and when a wise man is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
A righteous man considers the house of the wicked: the wicked are overthrown to ruin.
13 Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
He who stops his ears at the cry of a poor man, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
A wicked man is a ransom for a righteous man, and the treacherous dealer for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of a wise man, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of the confidence of it.
23 Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
The proud and haughty man, scoffer is his name. He works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
There is he who covets greedily all the day long, but the righteous gives and does not withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination. How much more when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
A false witness shall perish, but the man who hears shall speak so as to endure.
29 A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
A wicked man hardens his face, but as for an upright man, he establishes his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
The horse is prepared against the day of battle, but victory is from Jehovah.
