Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
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 person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—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 lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
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 wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
11 When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of 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 person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will 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 appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
26 All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against 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 the victory belongs to Yahweh.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
