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.

[Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.

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

Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.

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

To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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

Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.

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

The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.

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

The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,

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

The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.

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

Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.

9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the house top, then with a contentious woman in a wide house.

Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

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

The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour 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 scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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

The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.

13 He that stoppeth his eare at the crying of the poore, he shall also cry and not be heard.

He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a gift in the bosome great wrath.

A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.

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

It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.

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

The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.

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

A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.

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

A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.

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

Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.

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

Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.

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

He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.

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

A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

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

He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.

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

A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.

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

The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.

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

All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.

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

The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!

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

A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.

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

A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.

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

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.

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, to Yahweh, pertaineth the victory.