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 a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [is] upright.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked man craves 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 mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror 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 strays from the path of understanding will 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 will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion 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 pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
