Proverbs 21
1 [Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
The king's heart is in YHWH's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 is right in his own eyes, but YHWH weighs the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to YHWH than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
A high look, and a proud 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 plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
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 lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour 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, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
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, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong 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 righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.
16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful 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 precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
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, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against YHWH.
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 victory is with YHWH.
