Proverbs 21
1 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.
2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.
8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.
10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.
19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.
22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.
23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.
