Proverbs 21

1 The king’s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.

1 王的心在耶和華手中， 好像隴溝的水隨意流轉。

2 All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.

2 人所行的，在自己眼中都看為正； 惟有耶和華衡量人心。

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

3 行仁義公平 比獻祭更蒙耶和華悅納。

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.

4 惡人發達 ，眼高心傲， 這乃是罪。

5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

5 殷勤籌劃的，足致豐裕； 行事急躁的，都必缺乏。

6 Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

6 用詭詐之舌求財的，就是自己取死； 所得之財乃是吹來吹去的浮雲。

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

7 惡人的強暴必將自己掃除， 因他們不肯按公平行事。

8 The way of a guilty man is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

8 負罪之人的路甚是彎曲； 至於清潔的人，他所行的乃是正直。

9 Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.

9 寧可住在房頂的角上， 不在寬闊的房屋與爭吵的婦人同住。

10 The soul of the wicked man craves evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.

10 惡人的心樂人受禍； 他眼並不憐恤鄰舍。

11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; and when a wise man is instructed, he acquires knowledge.

11 褻慢的人受刑罰，愚蒙的人就得智慧； 智慧人受訓誨，便得知識。

12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

12 義人思想惡人的家， 知道惡人傾倒，必致滅亡。

13 Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor, he too shall cry out and receive no answer.

13 塞耳不聽窮人哀求的， 他將來呼籲也不蒙應允。

14 A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

14 暗中送的禮物挽回怒氣； 懷中搋的賄賂止息暴怒。

15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.

15 秉公行義使義人喜樂， 使作孽的人敗壞。

16 The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.

16 迷離通達道路的， 必住在陰魂的會中。

17 He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.

17 愛宴樂的，必致窮乏； 好酒，愛膏油的，必不富足。

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

18 惡人作了義人的贖價； 奸詐人代替正直人。

19 Better to live in the desert than with a contentious and ill-tempered wife.

19 寧可住在曠野， 不與爭吵使氣的婦人同住。

20 Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

20 智慧人家中積蓄寶物膏油； 愚昧人隨得來隨吞下。

21 He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor.

21 追求公義仁慈的， 就尋得生命、公義，和尊榮。

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

22 智慧人爬上勇士的城牆， 傾覆他所倚靠的堅壘。

23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

23 謹守口與舌的， 就保守自己免受災難。

24 Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.

24 心驕氣傲的人名叫褻慢； 他行事狂妄，都出於驕傲。

25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

25 懶惰人的心願將他殺害， 因為他手不肯做工。

26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.

26 有終日貪得無饜的； 義人施捨而不吝惜。

27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable—how much more so when brought with ill intent!

27 惡人的祭物是可憎的； 何況他存惡意來獻呢？

28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.

28 作假見證的必滅亡； 惟有聽真情而言的，其言長存。

29 A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure.

29 惡人臉無羞恥； 正直人行事堅定。

30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

30 沒有人能以智慧、聰明、 謀略敵擋耶和華。

31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.

31 馬是為打仗之日預備的； 得勝乃在乎耶和華。