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] in the hand of the LORD, [as] the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever 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 pondereth the hearts.

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

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

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

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

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

5. The thoughts of the diligent [tend] only to plenteousness; but of every one [that is] hasty 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 vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

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

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

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

8. The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [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 dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

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 desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

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

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

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

12. The righteous [man] wisely considereth the house of the wicked: [but God] overthroweth the wicked for [their] wickedness.

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

13. Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall 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 pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

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

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

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

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

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

17. He that loveth pleasure [shall be] a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

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

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

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

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

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

20. [There is] treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.

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

21. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

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

22. A wise [man] scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

23. Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

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

24. Proud [and] haughty scorner [is] his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

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

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

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

26. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

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

27. The sacrifice of the wicked [is] abomination: how much more, [when] he bringeth it with a wicked mind?

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

28. A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

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

29. A wicked man hardeneth his face: but [as for] the upright, he directeth his way.

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

30. [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

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

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