Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
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 the hasty hasteneth 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 false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into 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.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry aloud, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall 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 that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will 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 in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
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 contentious and fretful woman.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall 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.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy 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.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth not withhold.
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 an evil design!
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, 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 victory is from the LORD.
