Proverbs 21

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	KING JAMES BIBLE
1 Like a stream is the king's heart in the hand of the LORD; wherever it pleases him, he directs it.	1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.
2 All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts.	2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.	3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the tillage of the wicked is sin.	4 An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.	5 The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.
6 He who makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.	6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
7 The oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right.	7 The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
8 The way of the culprit is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is right.	8 The way of man is froward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.
9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.	9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.
10 The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.	10 The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbour findeth no favour in his eyes.
11 When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.	11 When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.
12 The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.	12 The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.
13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.	13 Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.
14 A secret gift allays anger, and a concealed present, violent wrath.	14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.
15 To practice justice is a joy for the just, but terror for evildoers.	15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
16 The man who strays from the way of good sense will abide in the assembly of the shades.	16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
17 He who loves pleasure will suffer want; he who loves wine and perfume will not be rich.	17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
18 The wicked man serves as ransom for the just, and the faithless man for the righteous.	18 The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife.	19 It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.
20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool consumes it.	20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
21 He who pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.	21 He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
22 The wise man storms a city of the mighty, and overthrows the stronghold in which it trusts.	22 A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble.	23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
24 Arrogant is the name for the man of overbearing pride who acts with scornful effrontery.	24 Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
25 The sluggard's propensity slays him, for his hands refuse to work.	25 The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labour.
26 Some are consumed with avarice all the day, but the just man gives unsparingly.	26 He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, the more so when they offer it with a bad intention.	27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
28 The false witness will perish, but he who listens will finally have his say.	28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.
29 The wicked man is brazenfaced, but the upright man pays heed to his ways.	29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, against the LORD.	30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
31 The horse is equipped for the day of battle, but victory is the LORD'S.	31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.