Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the hearts.

Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.

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

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.

7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.

8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.

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

It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.

16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.

A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.

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

It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.

21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.

23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.

25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.

26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.

28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.

29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.