Proverbs 21
1 As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn 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 seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.
5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.
6 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
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 desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.
11 When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.
12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.
13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.
16 A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swallows it up.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
24 The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.
25 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.
26 He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.
27 The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind.
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
A false witness will perish, and a man who listens speaks to eternity.
29 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.
