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 the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it anywhere 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 the LORD ponders the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 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 the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to lack.
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 vanity tossed back and forth of them that seek death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of a man who is vile [is] contrary, And the pure—his work [is] upright.
The way of man is perverse and strange: but as for the pure, 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 a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling 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 the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becomes wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receives knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise 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.
The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
13 Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
Whoso stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, 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 reward 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 just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 Whoever [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoever is loving wine and oil makes no wealth.
He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And the treacherous dealer for the upright.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor 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 the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry 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 treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
21 Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honour.
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 casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
Whoso 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.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
He covers greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when he brings it in wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is 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 that hears speaks constantly.
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 the upright, he directs his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
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 safety is of the LORD.
