Proverbs 21
1 The king's heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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 way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 A high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth only to want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro by them that seek death.
The getting of treasures by a false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 [It is] better to dwell in a corner of the house-top, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor findeth 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 scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into ruin.
13 Whoever stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
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 pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom, strong wrath.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.
15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
He that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
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 dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 [There is] a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
23 Whoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.
24 Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth not withhold.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; How much more when he bringeth it with an evil design!
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, against the LORD.
31 The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] from the LORD.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
