Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is in the LORD’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turns it anywhere he will.

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

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

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

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

4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to lack.

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

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed back and forth of them that seek death.

7 The violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

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

8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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

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

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 desires evil; his neighbour finds no mercy in his eyes.

The soul of the wicked desires evil: his neighbour finds no favour in his eyes.

11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

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

13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor, he will also cry out, but shall not be heard.

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

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, 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 justice; 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 who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t 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, the treacherous for 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 swallows 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 who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honour.

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

22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty, and brings down the strength of its confidence.

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

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

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

24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

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

25 The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labour.

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

26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

He covers 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 brings 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 will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

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

29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes 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 for the day of battle; but victory is with the LORD.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.