Proverbs 21
1 As departyngis of watris, so the herte of the kyng is in the power of the Lord; whidur euer he wole, he schal bowe it.
The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
2 Ech weye of a man semeth riytful to hym silf; but the Lord peisith the hertis.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do merci and doom plesith more the Lord, than sacrifices doen.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Enhaunsyng of iyen is alargyng of the herte; the lanterne of wickid men is synne.
A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thouytis of a stronge man ben euere in abundaunce; but ech slow man is euere in nedynesse.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 He that gaderith tresours bi the tunge of a leesing, is veyne, and with outen herte; and he schal be hurtlid to the snaris of deth.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden do doom.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The weiward weie of a man is alien fro God; but the werk of hym that is cleene, is riytful.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is betere to sitte in the corner of an hous with oute roof, than with a womman ful of chydyng, and in a comyn hous.
It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
10 The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiybore.
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 Whanne a man ful of pestilence is punyschid, a litil man of wit schal be the wisere; and if he sueth a wijs man, he schal take kunnyng.
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 He that stoppith his eere at the cry of a pore man, schal crye also, and schal not be herd.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A yift hid quenchith chidyngis; and a yift in bosum quenchith the moost indignacioun.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 It is ioye to a iust man to make doom; and it is drede to hem that worchen wickidnesse.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 He that loueth metis, schal be in nedynesse; he that loueth wiyn and fatte thingis, schal not be maad riche.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 An vnpitouse man schal be youun for a iust man; and a wickid man schal be youun for a riytful man.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.
19 It is betere to dwelle in a desert lond, than with a womman ful of chidyng, and wrathful.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 Desirable tresoure and oile is in the dwelling places of a iust man; and an vnprudent man schal distrie it.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that sueth riytfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 A wijs man stiede `in to the citee of stronge men, and distriede the strengthe of trist therof.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that kepith his mouth and his tunge, kepith his soule from angwischis.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden worche ony thing.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 Al dai he coueitith and desirith; but he that is a iust man, schal yyue, and schal not ceesse.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.
27 The offringis of wickid men, that ben offrid of greet trespas, ben abhomynable.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A fals witnesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie.
A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riytful, amendith his weie.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 No wisdom is, no prudence is, no counsel is ayens the Lord.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 An hors is maad redi to the dai of batel; but the Lord schal yyue helthe.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.
