Proverbiorum 21
1 Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini: quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.
2 Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur: appendit autem corda Dominus.
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
3 Facere misericordiam et iudicium, magis placet Domino quam victimae.
To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis: lucerna impiorum peccatum.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the guides of the wicked—are sin.
5 Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia: omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.
The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
6 Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii, vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
7 Rapinae impiorum detrahent eos, quia noluerunt facere iudicium.
The violence of the wicked will sweep them away because they refuse to do what is just.
8 Perversa via viri, aliena est: qui autem mundus est, rectum opus eius.
The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
10 Anima impii desiderat malum, non miserebitur proximo suo.
The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 Mulctato pestilente sapientior erit parvulus: et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.
12 Excogitat iustus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.
14 Munus absconditum extinguit iras: et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15 Gaudium iusto est facere iudicium: et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16 Vir, qui erraverit a via doctrinae, in coetu gigantum commorabitur.
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Qui diligit epulas, in egestate erit: qui amat vinum, et pinguia, non ditabitur.
He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.
18 Pro iusto dabitur impius: et pro rectis iniquus.
The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.
19 Melius est habitare in terra deserta, quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.
20 Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo iusti: et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.
21 Qui sequitur iustitiam et misericordiam, inveniet vitam, et gloriam.
He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens, detraxitque robur fiduciae eius.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust.
23 Qui custodit os suum, et linguam suam, custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
24 Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus, qui in ira operatur superbiam.
Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.
25 Desideria occidunt pigrum: noluerunt enim quidquam manus eius operari:
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
26 tota die concupiscit et desiderat: qui autem iustus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
27 Hostiae impiorum abominabiles, quae offeruntur ex scelere.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable— how much more so when brought with ill intent!
28 Testis mendax peribit: vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
29 Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum: qui autem rectus est, corrigit viam suam.
A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.
30 Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
31 Equus paratur ad diem belli: Dominus autem salutem tribuit.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.
