Proverbs 21
1 The heart of a king [is] streams of waters in the hand of YHWH, He inclines it wherever He pleases.
As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And YHWH is pondering hearts.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of YHWH rather than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth 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 false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catches them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch 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 the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 The soul of the wicked has desired evil, his neighbor is not gracious in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Toward the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into ruin.
13 Whoever is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also cries, and is not answered.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry aloud, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, And a bribe in the bosom—strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion 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 that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will 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 in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
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.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 Whoever is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 The wise has gone up a city of the mighty, And brings down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
23 Whoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping his soul from adversities.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner—his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 The desire of the slothful slays him, For his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 All the day desiring he has desired, And the righteous gives and does not withhold.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth 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 bringeth it with an evil design!
28 A false witness perishes, And an attentive man speaks forever.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wicked man has hardened by his face, And the upright—he prepares his way.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel against YHWH.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of YHWH!
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
