Proverbs 21

CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Just as with the dividing of the waters, so also is the heart of the king in the hand of the Lord. He shall bend it whichever way he wills.	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 seems right to himself. But the Lord 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 mercy and judgment is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifices.	3 To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
4 To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.	4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart-- the tillage of the wicked is sin.
5 The intentions of the robust continually bring forth abundance. But all the lazy are continually in need.	5 The plans of the diligent are sure of profit, but all rash haste leads certainly to poverty.
6 Whoever gathers treasures by a lying tongue is vain and heartless. And he will stumble into the snares of death.	6 He who makes a fortune by a lying tongue is chasing a bubble over deadly snares.
7 The robberies of the impious will drag them down, because they were not willing to do judgment.	7 The oppression of the wicked will sweep them away, because they refuse to do what is right.
8 The perverse way of a man is foreign. But whoever is pure: his work is upright.	8 The way of the culprit is crooked, but the conduct of the innocent is right.
9 It is better to sit in a corner of the attic, than with a contentious woman and in a shared house.	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 impious desires evil; he will not take pity on his neighbor.	10 The soul of the wicked man desires evil; his neighbor finds no pity in his eyes.
11 When the pestilent is punished, a little one will become wiser. And if he pursues what is wise, he will receive knowledge.	11 When the arrogant man is punished, the simple are the wiser; when the wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
12 The just thinks carefully about the house of the impious, so that he may draw the impious away from evil.	12 The just man appraises the house of the wicked: there is one who brings down the wicked to ruin.
13 Whoever blocks his ears to the outcry of the poor shall also cry out himself, and he will not be heeded.	13 He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will himself also call and not be heard.
14 A surprise gift extinguishes anger. And a gift concealed in the bosom extinguishes the greatest indignation.	14 A secret gift allays anger, and a concealed present, violent wrath.
15 It is gladness for the just to do judgment; and it is dread for those who work iniquity.	15 To practice justice is a joy for the just, but terror for evildoers.
16 A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.	16 The man who strays from the way of good sense will abide in the assembly of the shades.
17 Whoever loves a feast will be in deprivation. Whoever loves wine and fatness will not be enriched.	17 He who loves pleasure will suffer want; he who loves wine and perfume will not be rich.
18 The impious is given over instead of the just, and the iniquitous is given over in place of 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 deserted land, than with a quarrelsome and emotional woman.	19 It is better to dwell in a wilderness than with a quarrelsome and vexatious wife.
20 There is desirable treasure, as well as oil, in the habitations of the just. And the imprudent man will waste it.	20 Precious treasure remains in the house of the wise, but the fool consumes it.
21 Whoever follows justice and mercy shall discover life, justice, and glory.	21 He who pursues justice and kindness will find life and honor.
22 The wise has ascended the city of the strong, and he has torn down the bulwark of its confidence.	22 The wise man storms a city of the mighty, and overthrows the stronghold in which it trusts.
23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish.	23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble.
24 A proud and arrogant one is also called ignorant, if he, in anger, acts according to pride.	24 Arrogant is the name for the man of overbearing pride who acts with scornful effrontery.
25 Desires kill the lazy, for his hands are not willing to work at all.	25 The sluggard's propensity slays him, for his hands refuse to work.
26 He covets and desires all day long. But whoever is just shall distribute and shall not cease.	26 Some are consumed with avarice all the day, but the just man gives unsparingly.
27 The sacrifices of the impious are abominable, because they are offered out of wickedness.	27 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination, the more so when they offer it with a bad intention.
28 A lying witness will perish. An obedient man shall speak of victory.	28 The false witness will perish, but he who listens will finally have his say.
29 The impious man insolently hardens his face. But whoever is upright corrects his own way.	29 The wicked man is brazenfaced, but the upright man pays heed to his ways.
30 There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.	30 There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, against the LORD.
31 The horse is prepared for the day of battle. But the Lord bestows salvation.	31 The horse is equipped for the day of battle, but victory is the LORD'S.