Proverbs 21
1 As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will he shall turn it.
As a rush of water, so is the king's heart in God's hand: he turns it whithersoever he may desire to point out.
2 Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.
Every man seems to himself righteous; but the Lord directs the hearts.
3 To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.
To do justly and to speak truth, are more pleasing to God than the blood of sacrifices.
4 Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.
A high-minded man is stout-hearted in [his] pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.
5 The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.
6 He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.
He that gathers treasures with a lying tongue pursues vanity [on] to the snares of death.
7 The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.
Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly.
8 The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.
To the froward God sends froward ways; for his works are pure and right.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling women, and in a common house.
[It is] better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered [rooms] with unrighteousness, and in an open house.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.
The soul of the ungodly shall not be pitied by any man.
11 When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.
When an intemperate man is punished the simple becomes wiser: and a wise man understanding will receive knowledge.
12 The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.
A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness.
13 He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself and shall not be heard.
He that stops his ears from hearing the poor, himself also shall cry, and there shall be none to hear [him].
14 A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom the greatest wrath.
A secret gift calms anger: but he that forbears to give stirs up strong wrath.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.
[It is] the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy [man] is abominable with evil-doers.
16 A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.
17 He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.
A poor man loves mirth, loving wine and oil in abundance;
18 The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.
and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.
[It is] better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and talkative and passionate woman.
20 There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.
A desirable treasure will rest on the mouth of the wise; but foolish men will swallow it up.
21 He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.
The way of righteousness and mercy will find life and glory.
22 The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.
A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.
He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble.
24 The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.
A bold and self-willed and insolent [man] is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor.
25 Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.
Desires kill the sluggard; for his hands do not choose to do anything.
26 He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.
An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate.
27 The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.
The sacrifices of the ungodly are abomination to the Lord, for they offer them wickedly.
28 A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.
A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously.
29 The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.
An ungodly man impudently withstands with his face; but the upright man himself understands his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.
A horse is prepared for the day of battle; but help is of the Lord.
