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.
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
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, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 To do merci and doom plesith more the Lord, than sacrifices doen.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Enhaunsyng of iyen is alargyng of the herte; the lanterne of wickid men is synne.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage 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 purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, 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 making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The raueyns of vnpitouse men schulen drawe hem doun; for thei nolden do doom.
The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 The weiward weie of a man is alien fro God; but the werk of hym that is cleene, is riytful.
Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
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 to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 The soule of an vnpitouse man desirith yuel; he schal not haue merci on his neiybore.
The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
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 in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 A iust man of the hous of a wickid man thenkith, to withdrawe wickid men fro yuel.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 He that stoppith his eere at the cry of a pore man, schal crye also, and schal not be herd.
Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not 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.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 A man that errith fro the weie of doctryn, schal dwelle in the cumpany of giauntis.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 He that loueth metis, schal be in nedynesse; he that loueth wiyn and fatte thingis, schal not be maad riche.
Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
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] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 It is betere to dwelle in a desert lond, than with a womman ful of chidyng, and wrathful.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 Desirable tresoure and oile is in the dwelling places of a iust man; and an vnprudent man schal distrie it.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 He that sueth riytfulnesse and mercy, schal fynde lijf and glorie.
Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, 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 city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that kepith his mouth and his tunge, kepith his soule from angwischis.
Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 A proude man and boosteere is clepid a fool, that worchith pride in ire.
Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 Desiris sleen a slow man; for hise hondis nolden worche ony thing.
The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 Al dai he coueitith and desirith; but he that is a iust man, schal yyue, and schal not ceesse.
All the day desiring he hath desired, And 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] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 A fals witnesse schal perische; a man obedient schal speke victorie.
A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 A wickid man makith sad his cheer vnschamefastli; but he that is riytful, amendith his weie.
A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
30 No wisdom is, no prudence is, no counsel is ayens the Lord.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 An hors is maad redi to the dai of batel; but the Lord schal yyue helthe.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
