Proverbs 21
1 The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and 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.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [is] upright.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and 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 a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious in his eyes.
The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
[It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swallows it up.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
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 help is of the Lord.
