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 LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.
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 weighs 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 high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapour for those who seek death.
7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
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 the corner of the housetop than to share a house 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 desires evil; his neighbour finds no mercy 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 mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t 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, the treacherous for 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 precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honour.
22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labour.
26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t 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 brings it with a wicked mind!
28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
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 for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.
