Proverbs 21

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Like flowing water is a king's heart in Yahweh's hand; he directs it wherever he pleases.	1 Like a stream is the king's heart in the hand of the LORD; wherever it pleases him, he directs it.
2 All actions are straight in the doer's own eyes, but it is Yahweh who weighs hearts.	2 All the ways of a man may be right in his own eyes, but it is the LORD who proves hearts.
3 To do what is upright and just is more pleasing to Yahweh than sacrifice.	3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eye, proud heart, lamp of the wicked, nothing but sin.	4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the tillage of the wicked is sin.
5 The hardworking is thoughtful, and al is gain; too much haste, and all that comes of it is want.	5 The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
6 To make a fortune with the help of a lying tongue: such is the idle fantasy of those who look for death.	6 He who makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
7 The violence of the wicked proves their ruin, for they refuse to do what is right.	7 The oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the felon is devious, the conduct of the innocent straight.	8 The way of the culprit is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is right.
9 Better the corner of a roof to live on than a house shared with a quarrelsome woman.	9 It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop than in a roomy house with a quarrelsome woman.
10 The soul of the wicked is intent on evil, to such a person no neighbour can ever do right.	10 The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
11 When a cynic is punished, simpletons grow wiser, but someone of understanding acquires knowledgeby instruction.	11 When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The Upright One watches the house of the wicked; he hurls the wicked to destruction.	12 The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever refuses to listen to the cry of the weak, wil in turn plead and not be heard.	13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.
14 Anger is mol ified by a covert gift, raging fury by a present under cover of the cloak.	14 A secret gift allays anger, and a concealed present, violent wrath.
15 Doing what is right fills the upright with joy, but evil-doers with terror.	15 To practice justice is a joy for the just, but terror for evildoers.
16 Whoever strays far from the way of prudence wil rest in the assembly of shadows.	16 The man who strays from the way of good sense will abide in the assembly of the shades.
17 Pleasure-lovers stay poor, no one wil grow rich who loves wine and good living.	17 He who loves pleasure will suffer want; he who loves wine and perfume will not be rich.
18 The wicked is a ransom for the upright; and the law-breaker for the honest.	18 The wicked man serves as ransom for the just, and the faithless man for the righteous.
19 Better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and irritable woman.	19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife.
20 The wise has valuables and oil at home, but a fool soon runs through both.	20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool consumes it.
21 Whoever pursues uprightness and faithful love will find life, uprightness and honour.	21 He who pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.
22 A sage can scale a garrisoned city and shatter the rampart on which it relied.	22 The wise man storms a city of the mighty, and overthrows the stronghold in which it trusts.
23 Watch kept over mouth and tongue keeps the watcher safe from disaster.	23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble.
24 Insolent, haughty -- the name is 'Cynic'; overweening pride marks such behaviour.	24 Arrogant is the name for the man of overbearing pride who acts with scornful effrontery.
25 The idler's desires are the death of him, since his hands wil do no work.	25 The sluggard's propensity slays him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 Al day long the godless is racked by desire, the upright gives without ever refusing.	26 Some are consumed with avarice all the day, but the just man gives unsparingly.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abhorrent, above al if it is offered for bad motives.	27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, the more so when they offer it with a bad intention.
28 The false witness wil perish, but no one who knows how to listen wil ever be silenced.	28 The false witness will perish, but he who listens will finally have his say.
29 The wicked man's strength shows on his face, but the honest it is whose steps are firm.	29 The wicked man is brazenfaced, but the upright man pays heed to his ways.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no advice is worth anything before Yahweh.	30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, against the LORD.
31 Fit out the cavalry for the day of battle, but the victory is Yahweh's.	31 The horse is equipped for the day of battle, but victory is the LORD'S.