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 Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the riuers of waters: he turneth it whithersoeuer it pleaseth him.
2 Ech weye of a man semeth riytful to hym silf; but the Lord peisith the hertis.
Euery way of a man is right in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
3 To do merci and doom plesith more the Lord, than sacrifices doen.
To doe iustice and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice.
4 Enhaunsyng of iyen is alargyng of the herte; the lanterne of wickid men is synne.
A hautie looke, and a proude heart, which is the light of the wicked, is sinne.
5 The thouytis of a stronge man ben euere in abundaunce; but ech slow man is euere in nedynesse.
The thoughtes of the diligent doe surely bring abundance: but whosoeuer is hastie, commeth surely to pouertie.
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 gathering of treasures by a deceitfull tongue is vanitie tossed to and from of them that seeke death.
7 The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden do doom.
The robberie of the wicked shall destroy them: for they haue refused to execute iudgement.
8 The weiward weie of a man is alien fro God; but the werk of hym that is cleene, is riytful.
The way of some is peruerted and strange: but of the pure man, his worke is right.
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 house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house.
10 The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiybore.
The soule of the wicked wisheth euill: and his neighbour hath no fauour 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 foolish is wise: and when one instructeth the wise, he wil receiue knowledge.
12 A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
The righteous teacheth the house of the wicked: but God ouerthroweth the wicked for their euill.
13 He that stoppith his eere at the cry of a pore man, schal crye also, and schal not be herd.
He that stoppeth his eare at the crying of the poore, he shall also cry and 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 gift in the bosome great wrath.
15 It is ioye to a iust man to make doom; and it is drede to hem that worchen wickidnesse.
It is ioye to the iust to doe iudgement: but destruction shalbe to the workers of iniquitie.
16 A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis.
A man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome, shall remaine 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.
Hee that loueth pastime, shalbe a poore man: and he that loueth wine and oyle, shall not be riche.
18 An vnpitouse man schal be youun for a iust man; and a wickid man schal be youun for a riytful man.
The wicked shalbe a ransome for the iust, and the transgressour for the righteous.
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 the wildernesse, then with a contentious and angry woman.
20 Desirable tresoure and oile is in the dwelling places of a iust man; and an vnprudent man schal distrie it.
In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and oyle: but a foolish man deuoureth it.
21 He that sueth riytfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie.
He that followeth after righteousnes and mercy, shall finde life, righteousnes, and glory.
22 A wijs man stiede `in to the citee of stronge men, and distriede the strengthe of trist therof.
A wise man goeth vp into the citie of the mightie, and casteth downe the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He that kepith his mouth and his tunge, kepith his soule from angwischis.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soule from afflictions.
24 A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire.
Proude, hautie and scornefull is his name that worketh in his arrogancie wrath.
25 Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden worche ony thing.
The desire of the slouthfull slayeth him: for his hands refuse to worke.
26 Al dai he coueitith and desirith; but he that is a iust man, schal yyue, and schal not ceesse.
He coueteth euermore greedily, but the righteous giueth and spareth not.
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 bringeth it with a wicked minde?
28 A fals witnesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie.
A false witnes shall perish: but hee that heareth, speaketh continually.
29 A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riytful, amendith his weie.
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but the iust, he will direct his way.
30 No wisdom is, no prudence is, no counsel is ayens the Lord.
There is no wisedome, neither vnderstanding, nor counsell against the Lord.
31 An hors is maad redi to the dai of batel; but the Lord schal yyue helthe.
The horse is prepared against the day of battell: but saluation is of the Lord.
