Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
5 The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
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, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
14 A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
26 All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.
Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.
You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
