Proverbs 21

1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD as the watercourses: He turneth it whithersoever He will.

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

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the hearts.

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

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

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

4 A haughty look, and a proud heart — the tillage of the wicked is sin.

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

5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but every one that is hasty hasteth only to want.

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

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they that seek them seek death.

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

7 The violence of the wicked shall drag them away; because they refuse to do justly.

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

8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work 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 housetop, than in a house in common with a contentious woman.

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

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour 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 thoughtless is made wise; and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.

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

12 The Righteous One considereth the house of the wicked; overthrowing the wicked to their ruin.

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

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be answered.

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 present in the bosom strong wrath.

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

15 To do justly is joy to the righteous, but ruin to the workers of iniquity.

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

16 The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the shades.

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

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man; he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

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

18 The wicked is a ransom for the righteous; and the faithless cometh in the stead of the upright.

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

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

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

20 There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth it up.

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

21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, prosperity, and honour.

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

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the stronghold wherein it trusteth.

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

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

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

24 A proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, even he that dealeth in overbearing pride.

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

25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.

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

26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth 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 the proceeds of wickedness?

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

28 A false witness shall perish; but the man that obeyeth shall speak unchallenged.

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

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face; but as for the upright, he looketh well to his way.

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

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

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

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle; but victory is of the LORD.

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