Proverbs 21

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 Like a stream is the king's heart in the hand of the LORD; wherever it pleases him, he directs it.	1 Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.
2 All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts.	2 All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.
3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.	3 To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the tillage of the wicked is sin.	4 Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin.
5 The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.	5 The hardworking is thoughtful, and al is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want.
6 He who makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.	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 oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right.	7 The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the culprit is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent 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 in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.	9 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.
10 The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity 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 arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.	11 When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledgeby instruction.
12 The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.	12 The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction.
13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.	13 Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, wil in turn plead and not be heard.
14 A secret gift allays anger, and a concealed present, violent wrath.	14 Anger is mol ified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak.
15 To practice justice is a joy for the just, but terror for evildoers.	15 Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror.
16 The man who strays from the way of good sense will abide in the assembly of the shades.	16 Whoever strays far from the way of prudence wil rest in the assembly of shadows.
17 He who loves pleasure will suffer want; he who loves wine and perfume will not be rich.	17 Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one wil grow rich who loves wine and good living.
18 The wicked man serves as ransom for the just, and the faithless man for the righteous.	18 The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest.
19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife.	19 Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman.
20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool consumes it.	20 The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both.
21 He who pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.	21 Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour.
22 The wise man storms a city of the mighty, and overthrows the stronghold in which it trusts.	22 A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied.
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble.	23 Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster.
24 Arrogant is the name for the man of overbearing pride who acts with scornful effrontery.	24 Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour.
25 The sluggard's propensity slays him, for his hands refuse to work.	25 The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands wil do no work.
26 Some are consumed with avarice all the day, but the just man gives unsparingly.	26 Al day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing.
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 abhorrent, above al if it is offered for bad motives.
28 The false witness will perish, but he who listens will finally have his say.	28 The false witness wil perish, but no one who knows how to listen wil ever be silenced.
29 The wicked man is brazenfaced, but the upright man pays heed to his ways.	29 The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm.
30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, against the LORD.	30 No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh.
31 The horse is equipped for the day of battle, but victory is the LORD'S.	31 Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's.