Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart in the hand of Jehovah is [as] brooks of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

The king's heart in the hands of the Lord is like the water streams, and by him it is turned in any direction at his pleasure.

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

Every way of a man seems right to himself, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.

3 To exercise justice and judgment is more acceptable to Jehovah than sacrifice.

To do what is right and true is more pleasing to the Lord than an offering.

4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

A high look and a heart of pride, of the evil-doer is sin.

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

The purposes of the man of industry have their outcome only in wealth; but one who is over-quick in acting will only come to be in need.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of them that seek death.

He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.

7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

By their violent acts the evil-doers will be pulled away, because they have no desire to do what is right.

8 Very crooked is the way of a guilty man; but as for the pure, his work is upright.

Twisted is the way of him who is full of crime; but as for him whose heart is clean, his work is upright.

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

It is better to be living in an angle of the house-top, than with a bitter-tongued woman in a wide house.

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

The desire of the evil-doer is fixed on evil: he has no kind feeling for his neighbour.

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

When the man of pride undergoes punishment, the simple man gets wisdom; and by watching the wise he gets knowledge.

12 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth the wicked to [their] ruin.

The Upright One, looking on the house of the evil-doer, lets sinners be overturned to their destruction.

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

He whose ears are stopped at the cry of the poor, will himself get no answer to his cry for help.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger; and a present in the bosom, vehement fury.

By a secret offering wrath is turned away, and the heat of angry feelings by money in the folds of the robe.

15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for the workers of iniquity.

It is a joy to the good man to do right, but it is destruction to the workers of evil.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.

The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.

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

The lover of pleasure will be a poor man: the lover of wine and oil will not get wealth.

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and a treacherous [man] in the stead of the upright.

The evil-doer will be given as a price for the life of the good man, and the worker of deceit in the place of the upright.

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

It is better to be living in a waste land, than with a bitter-tongued and angry woman.

20 There is costly store and oil in the dwelling of a wise [man]; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

There is a store of great value in the house of the wise, but it is wasted by the foolish man.

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

He who goes after righteousness and mercy will get life, righteousness, and honour.

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

A wise man goes up into the town of the strong ones, and overcomes its strength in which they put their faith.

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

He who keeps watch over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

24 Proud, arrogant, scorner is his name who dealeth in proud wrath.

The man of pride, lifted up in soul, is named high-hearted; he is acting in an outburst of pride.

25 The desire of the sluggard killeth him; for his hands refuse to work:

The desire of the hater of work is death to him, for his hands will do no work.

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

All the day the sinner goes after his desire: but the upright man gives freely, keeping nothing back.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!

The offering of evil-doers is disgusting: how much more when they give it with an evil purpose!

28 A lying witness shall perish; and a man that heareth shall speak constantly.

A false witness will be cut off, ...

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

The evil-doer makes his face hard, but as for the upright, he gives thought to his way.

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

Wisdom and knowledge and wise suggestions are of no use against the Lord.

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but safety is of Jehovah.

The horse is made ready for the day of war, but power to overcome is from the Lord.