Proverbs 21
1 The Lord directs the king's decisions like a stream of water that he sends whichever way he wants.
[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.
2 People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their motives.
Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.
3 Doing what's right and fair pleases the Lord more than sacrifices.
To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Pride and arrogance are the sins the wicked live by.
Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.
5 Those who plan ahead and work hard will have plenty, while those who act rashly end up poor.
The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.
6 Money made by lies is like smoke in the wind—a chase that ends in death.
The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,
7 The destruction caused by the wicked will destroy them, for they refuse to do what's right.
The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.
8 Guilty people live crooked lives, but the innocent follow straight paths.
Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.
9 It's better to live in a corner of a housetop than to share a whole house with an argumentative wife.
Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.
10 Evil people love to do wrong, they don't care what pain they cause anyone.
The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When a mocker is punished, an immature person can learn wisdom. When the wise are educated, they gain knowledge.
When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The God of justice sees what happens in the homes of the wicked, and brings the wicked down in disaster.
The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.
13 If you refuse to hear the cries of the poor, your cries won't be heard either.
He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.
14 A gift given in secret calms down anger, and a hidden bribe soothes furious rage.
A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.
15 When justice is done, the good are happy, but it brings terror to those who do evil.
It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.
16 Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.
17 If you love pleasure you'll become poor; if you love wine and olive oil you won't ever be rich.
A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.
18 The wicked pay the price and not the good; those who are deceitful and not those who live right.
A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.
19 It's better to live in a desert than with an argumentative and bad-tempered wife.
Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.
20 The wise hold on to their wealth and olive oil, but stupid people use up everything they have.
Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.
21 If you pursue goodness and trustworthy love, you'll find life, prosperity, and honor.
He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.
22 The wise can overcome a city belonging to strong warriors, and tear down the fortress they trusted to protect them.
A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.
23 If you watch what you say, you can save yourself a lot of trouble.
He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.
24 A proud, conceited, mocker—that's the name of those who act with insolent arrogance.
A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.
25 Slackers die hungry because they refuse to work.
The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.
26 Some people only want more and more all the time, but the good give generously.
All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.
27 The sacrifices given by the wicked are obnoxious, worse still when they're offered with evil motives.
The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!
28 The lies of a false witness vanish away, but the words of a reliable witness will stand.
A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.
29 The wicked act as bold as brass, but those who live right consider carefully what they're doing.
A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.
30 Whatever wisdom, understanding, or guidance you may have is nothing before the Lord.
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.
31 You can get your horse ready for battle, but the victory is the Lord's.
The horse, is prepared for the day of battle, but, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.
