Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he 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 is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To exercise righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
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 tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] 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 tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those 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 will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; but as for the pure, his work is upright.
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 a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace 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 taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
Whoso stoppeth his ears against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong fury.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
It is joy to the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become 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 treacherous shall be put in the stead of the upright.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find 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 scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
The longing of the slothful will kill 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.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth 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 an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a sinful purpose?
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well 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 for the day of battle; but with the Lord is the victory.
