Proverbiorum 21
1 Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini: quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
2 Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur: appendit autem corda Dominus.
Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
3 Facere misericordiam et iudicium, magis placet Domino quam victimae.
To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis: lucerna impiorum peccatum.
Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
5 Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia: omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.
The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
6 Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii, vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
7 Rapinae impiorum detrahent eos, quia noluerunt facere iudicium.
The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
8 Perversa via viri, aliena est: qui autem mundus est, rectum opus eius.
Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
9 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
10 Anima impii desiderat malum, non miserebitur proximo suo.
The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 Mulctato pestilente sapientior erit parvulus: et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 Excogitat iustus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo.
The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
13 Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
14 Munus absconditum extinguit iras: et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
15 Gaudium iusto est facere iudicium: et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
16 Vir, qui erraverit a via doctrinae, in coetu gigantum commorabitur.
The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
17 Qui diligit epulas, in egestate erit: qui amat vinum, et pinguia, non ditabitur.
A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
18 Pro iusto dabitur impius: et pro rectis iniquus.
A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
19 Melius est habitare in terra deserta, quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
20 Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo iusti: et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
21 Qui sequitur iustitiam et misericordiam, inveniet vitam, et gloriam.
He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
22 Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens, detraxitque robur fiduciae eius.
A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 Qui custodit os suum, et linguam suam, custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
24 Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus, qui in ira operatur superbiam.
A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
25 Desideria occidunt pigrum: noluerunt enim quidquam manus eius operari:
The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
26 tota die concupiscit et desiderat: qui autem iustus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
27 Hostiae impiorum abominabiles, quae offeruntur ex scelere.
The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
28 Testis mendax peribit: vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
29 Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum: qui autem rectus est, corrigit viam suam.
A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
30 Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
31 Equus paratur ad diem belli: Dominus autem salutem tribuit.
The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
