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