Proverbs 21

Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.	1 Like a stream is the king's heart in the hand of the LORD; wherever it pleases him, he directs it.
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.	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 righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.	3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.	4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the tillage of the wicked is sin.
5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but every one who is hasty comes only to want.	5 The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.	6 He who makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is just.	7 The oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The way of the guilty is crooked, but the conduct of the pure is right.	8 The way of the culprit is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is right.
9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a contentious 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 desires evil; his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.	10 The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.	11 When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The righteous observes the house of the wicked; the wicked are cast down to ruin.	12 The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.
13 He who closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself cry out 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 A gift in secret averts anger; and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.	14 A secret gift allays anger, and a concealed present, violent wrath.
15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous, but dismay to evildoers.	15 To practice justice is a joy for the just, but terror for evildoers.
16 A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.	16 The man who strays from the way of good sense will abide in the assembly of the shades.
17 He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.	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 righteous, and the faithless for the upright.	18 The wicked man serves as ransom for the just, and the faithless man for the righteous.
19 It is better to live in a desert land than with a contentious and fretful woman.	19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife.
20 Precious treasure remains in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.	20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool consumes it.
21 He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor.	21 He who pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.
22 A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust.	22 The wise man storms a city of the mighty, and overthrows the stronghold in which it trusts.
23 He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.	23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble.
24 "Scoffer" is the name of the proud, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.	24 Arrogant is the name for the man of overbearing pride who acts with scornful effrontery.
25 The desire of the sluggard kills him for his hands refuse to labor.	25 The sluggard's propensity slays him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 All day long the wicked covets, but the righteous gives and does not hold back.	26 Some are consumed with avarice all the day, but the just man gives unsparingly.
27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent.	27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, the more so when they offer it with a bad intention.
28 A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.	28 The false witness will perish, but he who listens will finally have his say.
29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but an upright man considers his ways.	29 The wicked man is brazenfaced, but the upright man pays heed to his ways.
30 No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.	30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, against the LORD.
31 The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD.	31 The horse is equipped for the day of battle, but victory is the LORD'S.