Proverbs, 21

1. Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.

1. The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.

2. All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.

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

3. To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.

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

4. Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin.

4. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

5. The hardworking is thoughtful, and all is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want.

5. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.

6. To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue: such is the idle fantasy of those who look for death.

6. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

7. The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right.

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

8. The way of the felon is devious, the conduct of the innocent straight.

8. The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.

9. Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.

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

10. The soul of the wicked is intent on evil, to such a person no neighbour can ever do right.

10. The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11. When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledge by instruction.

11. When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12. The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction.

12. The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.

13. Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, will in turn plead and not be heard.

13. He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out and not be heard.

14. Anger is mollified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak.

14. A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.

15. Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror.

15. When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.

16. Whoever strays far from the way of prudence will rest in the assembly of shadows.

16. A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17. Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one will grow rich who loves wine and good living.

17. He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

18. The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest.

18. The wicked is a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.

19. Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman.

19. It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.

20. The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both.

20. Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.

21. Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour.

21. He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.

22. A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied.

22. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.

23. Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster.

23. He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

24. Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour.

24. "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

25. The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands will do no work.

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

26. All day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing.

26. All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.

27. The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent, above all if it is offered for bad motives.

27. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

28. The false witness will perish, but no one who knows how to listen will ever be silenced.

28. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

29. The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm.

29. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.

30. No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh.

30. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.

31. Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's.

31. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.