Proverbs 21
1 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth 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 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.
3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
The plans of the diligent tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth 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 false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.
9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.
10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, 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 man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into 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 aloud, but shall not be heard.
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 justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
A man who wandereth from the way of discretion Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
He that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.
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.
Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.
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 strength in which it trusted.
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 trouble.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth not withhold.
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 an evil design!
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, against the LORD.
31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; But victory is from the LORD.
