Proverbs 21

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.WEBThe king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

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

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

4An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.WEBA high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.WEBThe plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.WEBGetting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

7The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.WEBThe violence of the wicked will drive them away, because they refuse to do what is right.

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.WEBThe way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.WEBThe soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.WEBWhen the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

12The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.WEBThe Righteous One considers the house of the wicked, and brings the wicked to ruin.

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

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.WEBA gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.WEBIt is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

16The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.WEBThe man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

17He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.WEBHe who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

18The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.WEBThe wicked is a ransom for the righteous, the treacherous for the upright.

19It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.WEBIt is better to dwell in a desert land, than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.WEBThere is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

21He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.WEBHe who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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

23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.WEBWhoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.WEBThe proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

25The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.WEBThe desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

26He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.WEBThere are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

27The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?WEBThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination— how much more, when he brings it with a wicked mind!

28A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.WEBA false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

29A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.WEBA wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

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

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.WEBThe horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.