Proverbs 21

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

[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.

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

Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.

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

To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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

Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, 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, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.

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

The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,

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

The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.

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

Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.

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

Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

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

The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.

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

When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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

The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.

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

He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.

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

A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.

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

It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.

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

The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.

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

A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.

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

A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.

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

Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.

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 in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.

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

He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.

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

A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

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

He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.

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

A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.

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

The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.

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

All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.

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

The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!

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

A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.

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

A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.

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

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.

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

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