Proverbs 21
1 The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, [even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.
The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; because they refuse to do judgment.
The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.
Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman in a wide house.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; [how] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.
The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.
He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
15 It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.
The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of the upright.
A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
24 The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.
A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!
The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.
A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he ordereth his ways.
A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
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, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
