Proverbiorum 21
1 Sicut divisiones aquarum, ita cor regis in manu Domini: quocumque voluerit, inclinabit illud.
The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of Yahweh; he turns it wherever he pleases.
2 Omnis via viri recta sibi videtur: appendit autem corda Dominus.
Every person's way is right in his own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs the hearts.
3 Facere misericordiam et iudicium, magis placet Domino quam victimæ.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis: lucerna impiorum peccatum.
Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.
5 Cogitationes robusti semper in abundantia: omnis autem piger semper in egestate est.
The plans of the diligent lead only to prosperity, but everyone who acts too quickly comes only to poverty.
6 Qui congregat thesauros lingua mendacii, vanus et excors est, et impingetur ad laqueos mortis.
Acquiring riches by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare that kills.
7 Rapinæ impiorum detrahent eos, quia noluerunt facere iudicium.
The violence of the wicked will drag them away, for they refuse to do what is just.
8 Perversa via viri, aliena est: qui autem mundus est, rectum opus eius.
The way of a guilty person is crooked, but the one who is pure does what is right.
9 Melius est sedere in angulo domatis, quam cum muliere litigiosa, et in domo communi.
It is better to live on a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
10 Anima impii desiderat malum, non miserebitur proximo suo.
The appetite of the wicked craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.
11 Mulctato pestilente sapientior erit parvulus: et si sectetur sapientem, sumet scientiam.
When the mocker is punished, the naive become wise, and when the wise person is instructed, he lays hold of knowledge.
12 Excogitat iustus de domo impii, ut detrahat impios a malo.
The righteous person watches the house of the wicked person; he brings wicked people to disaster.
13 Qui obturat aurem suam ad clamorem pauperis, et ipse clamabit, et non exaudietur.
The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he also will cry out, but he will not be answered.
14 Munus absconditum extinguit iras: et donum in sinu indignationem maximam.
A gift in secret appeases anger and a concealed gift appeases strong wrath.
15 Gaudium iusto est facere iudicium: et pavor operantibus iniquitatem.
When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous person, but it brings terror to evildoers.
16 Vir, qui erraverit a via doctrinæ, in cœtu gigantum commorabitur.
The one who wanders from the way of understanding, he will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17 Qui diligit epulas, in egestate erit: qui amat vinum, et pinguia, non ditabitur.
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will not be rich.
18 Pro iusto datur impius: et pro rectis iniquus.
A wicked person is ransom for the righteous person, and the treacherous person is ransom for upright people.
19 Melius est habitare in terra deserta, quam cum muliere rixosa et iracunda.
It is better to live in the desert than with a quarreling and angry wife.
20 Thesaurus desiderabilis, et oleum in habitaculo iusti: et imprudens homo dissipabit illud.
Desirable treasure and oil are kept in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish person swallows it all up.
21 Qui sequitur iustitiam et misericordiam, inveniet vitam, iustitiam, et gloriam.
The one who does right and is kind— this person finds life, righteousness, and honor.
22 Civitatem fortium ascendit sapiens, et destruxit robur fiduciæ eius.
A wise man scales the city of the mighty ones, and he brings down the stronghold in which they trusted.
23 Qui custodit os suum, et linguam suam, custodit ab angustiis animam suam.
Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
24 Superbus et arrogans vocatur indoctus, qui in ira operatur superbiam.
The proud and haughty person—”Mocker” is his name— acts with arrogant pride.
25 Desideria occidunt pigrum: noluerunt enim quidquam manus eius operari:
The desire of the lazy kills him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 tota die concupiscit et desiderat: qui autem iustus est, tribuet, et non cessabit.
All day long he craves and craves more, but the righteous person gives and does not hold back.
27 Hostiæ impiorum abominabiles, quia offeruntur ex scelere.
The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable; it is even more detestable when he brings it with evil motives.
28 Testis mendax peribit: vir obediens loquetur victoriam.
A false witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak for all time.
29 Vir impius procaciter obfirmat vultum suum: qui autem rectus est, corrigit viam suam.
A wicked man makes his face hard, but an upright person is certain about his ways.
30 Non est sapientia, non est prudentia, non est consilium contra Dominum.
There is no wisdom, there is no understanding, and there is no advice that can stand against Yahweh.
31 Equus paratur ad diem belli: Dominus autem salutem tribuit.
The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to Yahweh.
