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 in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.
2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD ponders the hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 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 diligent tend only to plenty; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
The way of man is fraudulent and strange: but as for the 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 dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked desires 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 the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.
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 stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong 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: but destruction shall be 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 that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
He that loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil 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 shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spends it up.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that follows after righteousness and mercy 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 casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who deals in proud wrath.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor.
26 All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.
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 abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind?
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs 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 nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.
The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
