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 hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it wherever he will.

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 ponders the hearts.

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

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

4 An high look, and a proud heart, [even] the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing 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 thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty; but of every one that is hasty 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 lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

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

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

8 The way of him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: but as for the pure, his work is right.

The way of man is fraudulent and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

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

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

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 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 scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12 The righteous man considereth the house of the wicked; [how] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.

The righteous man wisely considers the house of the wicked: but God overthrows the wicked for their wickedness.

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

Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, 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 reward in the bosom strong wrath.

15 It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

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

16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.

The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation 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 loves pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loves wine and oil shall not be rich.

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

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor 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 the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

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

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

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

He that follows after righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.

22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and bringeth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and casts down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

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

24 The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.

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

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

The desire of the slothful kills him; for his hands refuse to labor.

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

He covets greedily all the day long: but the righteous gives and spares not.

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind!

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

28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth shall speak unchallenged.

A false witness shall perish: but the man that hears speaks constantly.

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

A wicked man hardens his face: but as for the upright, he directs his way.

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 against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.