Proverbs 21

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

1 The king’s heart is in Yahweh’s hand like the watercourses. He turns it wherever he desires.

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

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

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

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

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

4 A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.

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

5 The plans of the diligent surely lead to profit; and everyone who is hasty surely rushes to poverty.

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

6 Getting treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor for those who seek death.

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

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

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

8 The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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

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

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

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

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

11 When the mocker is punished, the simple gains wisdom. When the wise is instructed, he receives knowledge.

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

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

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

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

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

14 A gift in secret pacifies anger, and a bribe in the cloak, strong wrath.

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

15 It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

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

16 The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.

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

17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man. He who loves wine and oil won’t be rich.

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

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

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

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

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

20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man swallows it up.

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

21 He who follows after righteousness and kindness finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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

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

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

23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.

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

24 The proud and arrogant man—“Scoffer” is his name— he works in the arrogance of pride.

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

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

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

26 There are those who covet greedily all day long; but the righteous give and don’t withhold.

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

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

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

28 A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.

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

29 A wicked man hardens his face; but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

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

30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

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

31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle; but victory is with Yahweh.