Proverbs 21

1 [Like] channels of water, is the heart of a king, in the hand of Yahweh, —whithersoever he will, he turneth it.

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

2 Every way of a man, may be right in his own eyes, but, he that testeth hearts, is Yahweh.

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

3 To do righteousness and justice, is more choice to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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

4 Loftiness of eyes, and ambition of heart—the lamp of the lawless, are sin.

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

5 The plans of the diligent, tend only to abundance, but, of every one that is urgent, only to want.

The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness: but every one that is hasty [hasteth] only to want.

6 The gaining of treasures with a tongue of falsehood, is a vapour driven away, [they who seek them] seek death,

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vapour driven to and fro; they [that seek them] seek death.

7 The violence of the lawless, shall drag them away, —because they have refused to do justice.

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

8 Crooked is the way of a guilty man, but, as for the pure, straight is his dealing.

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

9 Better to dwell on the corner of the roof, than a quarrelsome wife, and a house in common.

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

10 The soul of the lawless man, craveth mischief, his own friend, findeth no favour in his eyes.

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

11 When the scoffer is punished, the simple, becometh wise, 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 receiveth knowledge.

12 The Righteous One observeth the house of the lawless, —He is ready to cast down lawless men into misfortune.

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

13 He that shutteth his ear from the cry of the poor, even he, shall call, and not be answered.

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

14 A gift in secret, quencheth anger, and, a present in the bosom, mighty wrath.

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

15 It is a joy, to a righteous man, to do justice, but, dismay, to the workers of iniquity.

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

16 The man who wandereth from the way of discretion, in the gathered host of the shades, shall settle down.

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

17 A needy man, shall he be that loveth merriment, the lover of wine and oil, shall not become rich.

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

18 A ransom for the righteous, is the lawless, and, instead of upright men, the traitor.

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

19 Better to dwell in a desert land, than with a woman, quarrelsome and provoking.

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

20 Desirable treasure and oil, are in the home of the wise, but, a man who is a dullard, will destroy it.

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

21 He that pursueth righteousness and lovingkindness, shall find life, righteousness and honour.

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

22 A city of heroes, doth a wise man scale, and bringeth down the strength of its confidence.

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

23 He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth, out of distresses, his soul.

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

24 A haughty insolent one—Scoffer is his name, is he that acteth in a transport of pride.

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

25 The craving of the sluggard, killeth him, for his hands have refused to work.

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

26 All the day, he greatly craveth, whereas, the righteous, giveth, and doth not spare.

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

27 The sacrifice of the lawless, is an abomination, how much more, when, with wickedness, he bringeth it in!

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

28 A false witness, shall perish, but, the man who hearkeneth, with abiding effect, shall speak.

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

29 A lawless man emboldeneth his face, but, as for the upright, he, directeth his ways.

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

30 There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel, to confront Yahweh.

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

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

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