Proverbs 21

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is like a stream of water.
    The Lord directs it toward all those who please him.

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

A person might think their own ways are right.
    But the Lord knows what they are thinking.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

Do what is right and fair.
    The Lord accepts that more than sacrifices.

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

The proud eyes and hearts of sinful people are like a field not plowed.
    Those things produce nothing good.

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

The plans of people who work hard succeed.
    You can be just as sure that those in a hurry will become poor.

The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

A fortune made by people who tell lies
    amounts to nothing and leads to death.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

The harmful things that evil people do will drag them away.
    They refuse to do what is right.

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

The path of those who are guilty is crooked.
    But the conduct of those who are not guilty is honest.

The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

It is better to live on a corner of a roof
    than to share a house with a nagging wife.

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

Sinful people long to do evil.
    They don’t show their neighbors any mercy.

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

When you punish someone who makes fun of others, childish people get wise.
    By paying attention to wise people, the childish get knowledge.

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

The Blameless One knows where sinners live.
    And he destroys them.

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

Whoever refuses to listen to the cries of poor people
    will also cry out and not be answered.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

A secret gift calms down anger.
    A hidden favor softens great anger.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

When you do what is fair, you make godly people glad.
    But you terrify those who do what is evil.

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

Whoever leaves the path of understanding
    ends up with those who are dead.

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

Anyone who loves pleasure will become poor.
    Anyone who loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.

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

Evil people become the payment for setting godly people free.
    Those who aren’t faithful are the payment for honest people.

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

It is better to live in a desert
    than to live with a nagging wife who loves to argue.

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

Wise people store up the best food and olive oil.
    But foolish people eat up everything they have.

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

Anyone who wants to be godly and loving
    finds life, success and honor.

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

A wise person can attack a strong city.
    They can pull down the place of safety its people trust in.

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

Those who are careful about what they say
    keep themselves out of trouble.

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

A proud person is called a mocker.
    He thinks much too highly of himself.

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

Some people will die while they are still hungry.
    That’s because their hands refuse to work.

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

All day long they hunger for more.
    But godly people give without holding back.

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

God hates sacrifices that are brought by evil people.
    He hates it even more when they bring them for the wrong reason.

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

Witnesses who aren’t honest will die.
    But anyone who listens carefully will be a successful witness.

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

Sinful people try to look as if they were bold.
    But honest people think about how they live.

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

No wisdom, wise saying or plan
    can succeed against the Lord.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

You can prepare a horse for the day of battle.
    But the power to win comes from the Lord.