Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.

The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.

Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

3 To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.

An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing of the wicked, [is] sin.

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty only to want.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.

The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.

The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

[It is] better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

11 When the scorner is punished, the thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.

The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

[It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.

16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.

The wicked [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

[There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.

A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.

Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more, when he bringeth it with the proceeds of wickedness?

The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.

A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

[There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.

The horse [is] prepared against the day of battle: but safety [is] of the LORD.