Proverbs 21
1 [Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
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, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
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 abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who 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 lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
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 lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour 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, becometh wise, 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 One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
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, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
15 It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
17 A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
18 A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
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 pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth 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, to confront Yahweh.
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, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
