Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is in the hand of Yhwh, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: But Yhwh pondereth the hearts.

Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.

3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to Yhwh than sacrifice.

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.

4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.

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

The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.

7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.

8 The way of man is perverse and laden with guilt: but as for the pure, his work 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 housetop, than with a brawling 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 soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour 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 simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth 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 man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.

13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall 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 reward in the bosom strong wrath.

A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain 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 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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 wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.

20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

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 righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down 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 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.

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

The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.

26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth 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 abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.

29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yhwh.

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 battle: but safety is of Yhwh.

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.