Proverbs 21

1 The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the riuers of waters: he turneth it whithersoeuer it pleaseth him.

The king's heart is in the LORD's hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

2 Euery way of a man is right in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts.

3 To doe iustice and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice.

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

4 A hautie looke, and a proude heart, which is the light of the wicked, is sinne.

A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5 The thoughtes of the diligent doe surely bring abundance: but whosoeuer is hastie, commeth surely to pouertie.

The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

6 The gathering of treasures by a deceitfull tongue is vanitie tossed to and from of them that seeke death.

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

7 The robberie of the wicked shall destroy them: for they haue refused to execute iudgement.

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

8 The way of some is peruerted and strange: but of the pure man, his worke is right.

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 house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house.

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

10 The soule of the wicked wisheth euill: and his neighbour hath no fauour in his eyes.

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

11 When the scorner is punished, the foolish is wise: and when one instructeth the wise, he wil receiue knowledge.

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

12 The righteous teacheth the house of the wicked: but God ouerthroweth the wicked for their euill.

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

13 He that stoppeth his eare at the crying of the poore, he shall also cry and 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 gift in the bosome great wrath.

A gift in secret pacifies anger; and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

15 It is ioye to the iust to doe iudgement: but destruction shalbe to the workers of iniquitie.

It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to evildoers.

16 A man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead.

The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 Hee that loueth pastime, shalbe a poore man: and he that loueth wine and oyle, shall not be riche.

He who loves pleasure shall be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

18 The wicked shalbe a ransome for the iust, and the transgressour for the righteous.

The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; the treacherous for the upright.

19 It is better to dwell in the wildernesse, then with a contentious and angry woman.

It is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20 In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and oyle: but a foolish man deuoureth it.

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

21 He that followeth after righteousnes and mercy, shall finde life, righteousnes, and glory.

He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man goeth vp into the citie of the mightie, and casteth downe the strength of the confidence thereof.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soule from afflictions.

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

24 Proude, hautie and scornefull is his name that worketh in his arrogancie wrath.

The proud and haughty man, "scoffer" is his name; he works in the arrogance of pride.

25 The desire of the slouthfull slayeth him: for his hands refuse to worke.

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

26 He coueteth euermore greedily, but the righteous giueth and spareth not.

There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and do not withhold.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more when he bringeth it with a wicked minde?

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind.

28 A false witnes shall perish: but hee that heareth, speaketh continually.

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

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but the iust, he will direct his way.

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

30 There is no wisedome, neither vnderstanding, nor counsell against the Lord.

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

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battell: but saluation is of the Lord.

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