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.
As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 Ech weye of a man semeth riytful to hym silf; but the Lord peisith the hertis.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do merci and doom plesith more the Lord, than sacrifices doen.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Enhaunsyng of iyen is alargyng of the herte; the lanterne of wickid men is synne.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
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 the hasty hasteneth 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 false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden do doom.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
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 man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are 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.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiybore.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.
12 A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into 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 shall cry aloud, but 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, strong wrath.
15 It is ioye to a iust man to make doom; and it is drede to hem that worchen wickidnesse.
To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly 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 pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth 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 shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
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.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 He that sueth riytfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, 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 bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.
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 trouble.
24 A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden worche ony thing.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy 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.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth 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 bringeth it with an evil design!
28 A fals witnesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riytful, amendith his weie.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 No wisdom is, no prudence is, no counsel is ayens the Lord.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, 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 from the LORD.
