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.
Like brooks of water is a king's heart in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever it pleaseth him doth he turn it.
2 Ech weye of a man semeth riytful to hym silf; but the Lord peisith the hertis.
Every way of a man is straight in his own eyes; but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
3 To do merci and doom plesith more the Lord, than sacrifices doen.
To exercise 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.
Haughtiness of the eyes, and an immoderate heart, are the sinful field of the wicked.
5 The thouytis of a stronge man ben euere in abundaunce; but ech slow man is euere in nedynesse.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; but every hasty man is [destined] 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 tongue of falsehood is like the fleeting breath of those that seek death.
7 The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden do doom.
The robbery of the wicked will drag them away; because they refuse to execute justice.
8 The weiward weie of a man is alien fro God; but the werk of hym that is cleene, is riytful.
Perverse is the way of the man that is estranged [from goodness]; 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 a roof, than with a quarrelsome woman in a roomy house.
10 The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiybore.
The soul of the wicked longeth for evil: his neighbor findeth no grace 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 is made wise: and when the wise is taught intelligence, he receiveth knowledge.
12 A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
The righteous regardeth attentively the house of the wicked; [but God] overturneth the wicked into unhappiness.
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 against the cry of the poor, he also will cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A yift hid quenchith chidyngis; and a yift in bosum quenchith the moost indignacioun.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong 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 the righteous to execute justice; but it is a terror to wrong-doers.
16 A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis.
The man that wandereth astray out of the way of intelligence shall rest in the assembly of the departed.
17 He that loueth metis, schal be in nedynesse; he that loueth wiyn and fatte thingis, schal not be maad riche.
He that loveth pleasure will be a man of want: he that loveth wine and oil will not become 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 shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the treacherous shall be put 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 quarrelsome and vexatious woman.
20 Desirable tresoure and oile is in the dwelling places of a iust man; and an vnprudent man schal distrie it.
There are a desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man will swallow it up.
21 He that sueth riytfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie.
He that pursueth righteousness and kindness will find 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 scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength in which they trusted.
23 He that kepith his mouth and his tunge, kepith his soule from angwischis.
Whoso guardeth his mouth and his tongue guardeth his soul against distresses.
24 A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire.
The presumptuous and proud, scorner is his name, dealeth in the wrath of presumption.
25 Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden worche ony thing.
The longing of the slothful will kill 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.
All the day he feeleth a great longing; but the righteous giveth and withholdeth 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 sinful purpose?
28 A fals witnesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie.
A lying witness shall perish; but the man that is obedient [to the law] can speak for ever.
29 A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riytful, amendith his weie.
A wicked man showeth impudence in his face; but as for the upright, he will consider well his way.
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 with the Lord is the victory.
