Proverbs 21

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

As streams of water, So is the heart of the king in the hand of the LORD; He turneth it whithersoever he will.

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

All the ways of a man are right in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the heart.

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

To do justice and equity Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

The lofty look, the proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is ruin.

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 tend only to plenty; But the hasty hasteneth only to want.

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

The getting of treasures by a false tongue Is the fleeting breath of them that seek death.

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

The rapine of the wicked shall snatch them away, Because they refuse to do justice.

8 The way of man is froward and strange; but as for the pure, his work is right.

The way of the guilty man is crooked; But he that is pure, his doings are right.

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

Better is it to dwell in a corner of the housetop Than with a brawling woman in a large house.

10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil; his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

The soul of the wicked longeth to do evil; His neighbor findeth no compassion 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 scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise; When the wise man is taught, he receiveth knowledge.

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

The righteous man hath regard to the house of the wicked; He casteth the wicked headlong into ruin.

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

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, He also shall cry aloud, but shall not be heard.

14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger, and a present in the bosom strong wrath.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger; And a present in the bosom, strong wrath.

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

To do justice shall be joy to the righteous; But destruction is for them that do iniquity.

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

A man who wandereth from the way of discretion 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 that loveth pleasure will be a poor man; He that loveth wine and oil will not be rich.

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

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous! And in the room of the upright shall be the transgressor.

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.

Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of the wise; But the foolish man swalloweth them up.

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

He who followeth after righteousness and mercy Shall find life, prosperity, and honor.

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

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, And bringeth down the strength in which it trusted.

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

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from trouble.

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

The proud and haughty, —scoffer is his name; He acteth with haughty arrogance.

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

The desire of the sluggard will destroy him; For his hands refuse to labor.

26 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long; but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

The covetous man coveteth all the day long; But the righteous man giveth, and doth 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 bringeth it with an evil design!

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

A false witness shall perish; But a man that hearkeneth shall speak forever.

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

The wicked man hardeneth his face; But the upright directeth his way.

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

Wisdom is nothing, and understanding is nothing, And devices are nothing, 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 from the LORD.