Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is in the LORD's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth only to want.
6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
The getting of treasures by a false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
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 desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion in his eyes.
11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, 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 considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into ruin.
13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
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 cloak, strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but 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 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the 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 guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.
24 The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do 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 an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he bringeth it with an evil design!
28 A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
