Proverbs 21

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

Rivulets of waters [is] the heart of a king in the hand of Jehovah, Wherever He pleaseth He inclineth it.

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, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

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

To do righteousness and judgment, Is chosen of Jehovah rather than sacrifice.

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

Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage 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 purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, 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 making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

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

The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused 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.

Froward [is] the way of a man who is vile, And the pure — upright [is] his work.

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

Better to sit on a corner of the roof, Than [with] a woman of contentions and a house of company.

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

The soul of the wicked hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.

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 becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise He receiveth knowledge.

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

The Righteous One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

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

Whoso is shutting his ear from the cry of the poor, He also doth cry, and is not answered.

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

A gift in secret pacifieth anger, And a bribe in the bosom strong fury.

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

To do justice [is] joy to the righteous, But ruin to workers of iniquity.

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

A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.

17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

Whoso [is] loving mirth [is] a poor man, Whoso is loving wine and oil maketh no wealth.

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

The wicked [is] an atonement for the righteous, And for the upright the treacherous dealer.

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

Better to dwell in a wilderness land, Than [with] a woman of contentions and anger.

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

A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And a foolish man swalloweth it up.

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

Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

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

Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.

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

Proud, haughty, scorner [is] his name, Who is working in the wrath of pride.

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

The desire of the slothful slayeth him, For his hands have refused to work.

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

All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth 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, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.

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

A false witness doth perish, And an attentive man for ever speaketh.

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

A wicked man hath hardened by his face, And the upright — he prepareth his way.

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

There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.

31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but victory is of the LORD,

A horse is prepared for a day of battle, And the deliverance [is] of Jehovah!