Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth 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] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage 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 purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
9 It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is 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 the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for 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.
Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not 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.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
All the day desiring he hath desired, And 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] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth 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, over-against Jehovah.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
