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 a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
2 Euery way of a man is right in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.
Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
3 To doe iustice and iudgement is more acceptable to the Lord then sacrifice.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 A hautie looke, and a proude heart, which is the light of the wicked, is sinne.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—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 lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
6 The gathering of treasures by a deceitfull tongue is vanitie tossed to and from of them that seeke death.
Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
7 The robberie of the wicked shall destroy them: for they haue refused to execute iudgement.
The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
8 The way of some is peruerted and strange: but of the pure man, his worke is right.
The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
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 live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 The soule of the wicked wisheth euill: and his neighbour hath no fauour in his eyes.
The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor 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 naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.
12 The righteous teacheth the house of the wicked: but God ouerthroweth the wicked for their euill.
The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
13 He that stoppeth his eare at the crying of the poore, he shall also cry and not be heard.
The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a gift in the bosome great wrath.
A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
15 It is ioye to the iust to doe iudgement: but destruction shalbe to the workers of iniquitie.
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
16 A man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead.
The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will 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.
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 The wicked shalbe a ransome for the iust, and the transgressour for the righteous.
A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
19 It is better to dwell in the wildernesse, then with a contentious and angry woman.
It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
20 In the house of the wise is a pleasant treasure and oyle: but a foolish man deuoureth it.
Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
21 He that followeth after righteousnes and mercy, shall finde life, righteousnes, and glory.
The one who does right and is kind— this person 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 ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soule from afflictions.
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 Proude, hautie and scornefull is his name that worketh in his arrogancie wrath.
The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
25 The desire of the slouthfull slayeth him: for his hands refuse to worke.
The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 He coueteth euermore greedily, but the righteous giueth and spareth not.
All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
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 detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
28 A false witnes shall perish: but hee that heareth, speaketh continually.
A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but the iust, he will direct his way.
A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
30 There is no wisedome, neither vnderstanding, nor counsell against the Lord.
There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against 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 the victory belongs to Yahweh.
