Proverbs 21

1 Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.

The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.

2 Every way of a man [is] right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.

3 To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.

Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.

4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.

Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.

5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.

Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.

6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.

7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.

The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.

8 Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.

Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.

9 Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.

It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.

10 The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.

Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.

When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.

12 The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.

13 Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.

If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.

A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.

15 To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.

When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.

16 A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.

Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.

17 Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.

If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.

18 The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.

The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.

19 Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.

It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.

20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.

The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.

21 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.

22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.

23 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.

If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.

24 Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.

A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.

25 The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.

Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.

26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.

The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.

28 A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.

The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.

29 A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.

The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.

30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.

Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.

31 A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!

You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.