Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart [is] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: 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 pondereth the hearts.

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

3 To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

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

4 An high look, and a proud heart, [and] the plowing 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 of every one [that is] hasty 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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

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

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

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 with a brawling woman in a wide house.

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 simple 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 [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.

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 heard.

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 reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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

15 [It is] joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction [shall be] 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 wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

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 [shall be] a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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

19 [It is] better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

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

20 [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth 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, righteousness, 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 casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

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 He 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] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

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 heareth speaketh constantly.

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 directeth 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 safety [is] of the LORD.

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