Proverbs 21

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.	1 Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.	2 All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.
3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.	3 To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.	4 Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin.
5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.	5 The hardworking is thoughtful, and al is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.	6 To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue: such is the idle fantasy of those who look for death.
7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.	7 The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.	8 The way of the felon is devious, the conduct of the innocent straight.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.	9 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.	10 The soul of the wicked is intent on evil, to such a person no neighbour can ever do right.
11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.	11 When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledgeby instruction.
12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.	12 The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction.
13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.	13 Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, wil in turn plead and not be heard.
14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.	14 Anger is mol ified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak.
15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.	15 Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror.
16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.	16 Whoever strays far from the way of prudence wil rest in the assembly of shadows.
17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.	17 Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one wil grow rich who loves wine and good living.
18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.	18 The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest.
19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.	19 Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman.
20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.	20 The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both.
21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.	21 Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour.
22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.	22 A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied.
23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.	23 Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster.
24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.	24 Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour.
25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.	25 The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands wil do no work.
26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.	26 Al day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?	27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent, above al if it is offered for bad motives.
28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.	28 The false witness wil perish, but no one who knows how to listen wil ever be silenced.
29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.	29 The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm.
30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.	30 No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh.
31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.	31 Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's.