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 in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
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 Jehovah weigheth the hearts.
3 To do merci and doom plesith more the Lord, than sacrifices doen.
To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.
4 Enhaunsyng of iyen is alargyng of the herte; the lanterne of wickid men is synne.
Lofty eyes, 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 thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty, only to want.
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.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden do doom.
The devastation of the wicked sweepeth 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.
Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work 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 a corner of the housetop, than with a contentious woman, and a house in common.
10 The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiybore.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour 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 scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.
13 He that stoppith his eere at the cry of a pore man, schal crye also, and schal not be herd.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.
14 A yift hid quenchith chidyngis; and a yift in bosum quenchith the moost indignacioun.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.
15 It is ioye to a iust man to make doom; and it is drede to hem that worchen wickidnesse.
It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.
16 A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis.
The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.
17 He that loueth metis, schal be in nedynesse; he that loueth wiyn and fatte thingis, schal not be maad riche.
He that loveth mirth shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall 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, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of 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 irritable woman.
20 Desirable tresoure and oile is in the dwelling places of a iust man; and an vnprudent man schal distrie it.
There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that sueth riytfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A wijs man stiede `in to the citee of stronge men, and distriede the strengthe of trist therof.
A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He that kepith his mouth and his tunge, kepith his soule from angwischis.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire.
Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden worche ony thing.
The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:
26 Al dai he coueitith and desirith; but he that is a iust man, schal yyue, and schal not ceesse.
He coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The offringis of wickid men, that ben offrid of greet trespas, ben abhomynable.
The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!
28 A fals witnesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie.
A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.
29 A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riytful, amendith his weie.
A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he establisheth his way.
30 No wisdom is, no prudence is, no counsel is ayens the Lord.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against Jehovah.
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 safety is of Jehovah.
