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 LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

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 weighs the hearts.

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

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

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

A high look and a proud heart, the lamp 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 plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

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

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

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

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

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

The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent 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 dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, 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 righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction 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 who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

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

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

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

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous 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 a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

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

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

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

He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds 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 scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

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

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

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

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

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 for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.