Proverbs 21

1The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

1As the divisions of waters, so the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord: whithersoever he will, he shall turn it.

2Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth the hearts.

2Every way of a man seemeth right to himself: but the Lord weigheth the hearts.

3To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

3To do mercy and judgment, pleaseth the Lord more than victims.

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

4Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin.

5The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

5The thoughts of the industrious always bring forth abundance: but every sluggard is always in want.

6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

6He that gathereth treasures by a lying tongue, is vain and foolish, and shall stumble upon the snares of death.

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

7The robberies of the wicked shall be their downfall, because they would not do judgment.

8The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.

8The perverse way of a man is strange: but as for him that is pure, his work is right.

9It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

9It is better to sit in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman, and in a common house.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.

10The soul of the wicked desireth evil, he will not have pity on his neighbour.

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

11When a pestilent man is punished, the little one will be wiser: and if he follow the wise, he will receive knowledge.

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

12The just considereth seriously the house of the wicked, that he may withdraw the wicked from evil.

13Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

13He that stoppeth his ear against the cry of the poor, shall also cry himself, and shall not be heard.

14A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

14A secret present quencheth anger: and a gift in the bosom, the greatest wrath.

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

15It is joy to the just to do judgment: and dread to them that work iniquity.

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

16A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.

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

17He that loveth good cheer, shall be in want: he that loveth wine, and fat things, shall not be rich.

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

18The wicked is delivered up for the just: and the unjust for the righteous.

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

19It is better to dwell in a wilderness, than with a quarrelsome and passionate woman.

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

20There is a treasure to be desired, and oil in the dwelling of the just: and the foolish man shall spend it.

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

21He that followeth justice and mercy, shall find life, justice, and glory.

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

22The wise man hath scaled the city of the strong, and hath cast down the strength of the confidence thereof.

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

23He that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress.

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

24The proud and the arrogant is called ignorant, who in anger worketh pride.

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

25Desires kill the slothful: for his hands have refused to work at all.

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

26He longeth and desireth all the day: but he that is just, will give, and will not cease.

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

27The sacrifices of the wicked are abominable, because they are offered of wickedness.

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

28A lying witness shall perish: an obedient man shall speak of victory.

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

29The wicked man impudently hardeneth his face: but he that is righteous, correcteth his way.

30There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

30There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.

31The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

31The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but the Lord giveth safety.