Proverbs 21

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

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, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.

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

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

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

4 Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.

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

5 The purposes of the diligent [are] only to advantage, And of every hasty one, only to want.

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

6 The making of treasures by a lying tongue, [Is] a vanity driven away of those seeking death.

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

7 The spoil of the wicked catcheth them, Because they have refused to do judgment.

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

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

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

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

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 hath desired evil, Not gracious in his eyes is his neighbour.

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

11 When the scorner is punished, the simple becometh wise, And in giving understanding to the wise 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 One is acting wisely Towards the house of the wicked, He is overthrowing the wicked for wickedness.

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

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

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

A gift in secret pacifies anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

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

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

20 A treasure to be desired, and oil, [Is] in the habitation of the wise, And 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 Whoso is pursuing righteousness and kindness, Findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

22 A city of the mighty hath the wise gone up, And bringeth 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 Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.

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

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

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

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

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

26 All the day desiring he hath desired, And the righteous giveth and withholdeth not.

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

27 The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination, Much more when in wickedness he bringeth it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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