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 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 the LORD weigheth 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 the LORD than sacrifice.

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

4 An high look, and a proud heart, [even] the lamp 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 every one that is hasty [hasteth] 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 vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.

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

7 The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away; 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 him that is laden with guilt is exceeding crooked: 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 the corner of the housetop, than with a contentious 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 considereth the house of the wicked; [how] the wicked are overthrown to [their] ruin.

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, 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 present in the bosom strong wrath.

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

15 It is joy to the righteous to do judgment; but it is a destruction 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 rest 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 is a ransom for the righteous; and the treacherous [cometh] in the stead of 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 a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

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

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man swalloweth 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 bringeth 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 The proud and haughty man, scorner is his name, he worketh in the arrogance of pride.

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 There is that coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and withholdeth 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 an 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 shall speak unchallenged.

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 ordereth his ways.

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 the LORD.

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 victory is of the LORD,

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