Proverbs 21
1 The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.
5 Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.
6 Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.
7 The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.
9 It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.
11 When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.
13 If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.
14 A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
17 If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.
18 The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.
19 It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.
20 The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.
27 The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.
31 You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!
