Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
