Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: 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 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, [even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty [hasteth] 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 lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide 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 desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, 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 considereth the house of the wicked; [how] the wicked are overthrown to [their] 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, 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 It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation 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 shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall 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 is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright.
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 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it 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 that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
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 of the confidence thereof.
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 troubles.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
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 a wicked mind!
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
