Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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 the LORD weigheth the hearts.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, [even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.
Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.
The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.
Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
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 desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; [how] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.
The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, 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 pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom 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 judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.
Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth 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; and the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of 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 swalloweth it up.
The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
24 The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh 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 slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
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 bringeth 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 shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.
The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth 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 the LORD.
Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,
You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
