Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in Jehovah's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Jehovah weighs the hearts.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
14 A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.
When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.
The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
24 The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.
Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind.
The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
28 A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Jehovah.
Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Jehovah.
You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
