Proverbiorum 21
1 Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini: quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
2 Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur: appendit autem corda Dominus.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
3 Facere misericordiam et iudicium, magis placet Domino quam victimae.
Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
4 Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis: lucerna impiorum peccatum.
Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
5 Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia: omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.
Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
6 Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii, vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
7 Rapinae impiorum detrahent eos, quia noluerunt facere iudicium.
The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
8 Perversa via viri, aliena est: qui autem mundus est, rectum opus eius.
Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
9 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
10 Anima impii desiderat malum, non miserebitur proximo suo.
Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
11 Mulctato pestilente sapientior erit parvulus: et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
12 Excogitat iustus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo.
The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
13 Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
14 Munus absconditum extinguit iras: et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
15 Gaudium iusto est facere iudicium: et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
16 Vir, qui erraverit a via doctrinae, in coetu gigantum commorabitur.
Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
17 Qui diligit epulas, in egestate erit: qui amat vinum, et pinguia, non ditabitur.
If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
18 Pro iusto dabitur impius: et pro rectis iniquus.
The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
19 Melius est habitare in terra deserta, quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
20 Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo iusti: et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
21 Qui sequitur iustitiam et misericordiam, inveniet vitam, et gloriam.
If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
22 Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens, detraxitque robur fiduciae eius.
The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
23 Qui custodit os suum, et linguam suam, custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
24 Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus, qui in ira operatur superbiam.
A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
25 Desideria occidunt pigrum: noluerunt enim quidquam manus eius operari:
Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
26 tota die concupiscit et desiderat: qui autem iustus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
27 Hostiae impiorum abominabiles, quae offeruntur ex scelere.
The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
28 Testis mendax peribit: vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
29 Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum: qui autem rectus est, corrigit viam suam.
The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
30 Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.
Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
31 Equus paratur ad diem belli: Dominus autem salutem tribuit.
You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
