Proverbs 21
1 As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.
As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
2 All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth only to want.
The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 The getting of treasures by a false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
7 The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
10 The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
12 The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into ruin.
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry aloud, but shall not be heard.
He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
15 To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
17 He that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21 He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth not withhold.
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he bringeth it with an evil design!
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
30 Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
