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 [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 Jehovah weigheth the hearts.

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

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

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

4 Lofty eyes, and a proud heart, the lamp 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 of every one that is hasty, 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 fleeting breath of them that seek death.

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

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

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

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

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 with a contentious woman, and a house in common.

[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 simple becometh 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 One that is righteous wisely considereth the house of the wicked: he overthroweth 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 himself shall cry, and shall not be heard.

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, vehement fury.

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

15 It is joy to a righteous [man] to do what is right; but it is ruin for 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 wandereth out of the way of wisdom shall abide in the congregation of the dead.

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

17 He that loveth mirth 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 a treacherous [man] 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 irritable woman.

[It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an 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] 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, righteousness, 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 casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

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

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

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

26 He 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 abomination: how much more when they bring it with a wicked purpose!

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

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

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 establisheth 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 Jehovah.

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

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

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