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 the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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 the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
A high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing 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 diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.
6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
7 The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the 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 dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide 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: his neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.
11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, 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 just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth 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 [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry 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 wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth 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] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
Whoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
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] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] from the LORD.
