Moff PROV Chapter 21

21 

The Eternal sways the king’s heart like a water-course

he turns it as he pleases.

2 

Man’s ways are always right in his own eyes,

but the Eternal has the verdict on his life.

3 

Justice and fairness

please the Eternal more than sacrifices.

4 

Haughty looks, a proud heart,

showy splendour--it is all sin.

5 

A diligent soul will have plenty,

but lazy creatures will all end in poverty.

6 

A man making money by fraud

chases a bubble to his own doom.

7 

The evil are undone by their own tyranny,

since they will not deal justly.

8 

The insolent follow a crooked course:

the good man’s life is straight.

9 

Better a corner on the roof

than a room inside the mansion with a nagging wife.

10 

Bad men are bent on doing harm;

none wins a kindly thought from them.

11 

When a scoffer is punished, the fool gets a lesson

men of sense learn by being taught.

12 

A just God cares for the good,

but he brings down the wicked with a crash.

13 

He who is deaf to the cry of the poor,

one day his own cry shall not be heard.

14 

A secret bribe appeases anger,

a present slipped into the hand will allay fury.

15 

Justice done is a delight to good men,

and dismay to evildoers.

16 

A man who wanders out of the right road

will find his rest among the dead below.

17 

He who is fond of pleasure will grow poor;

he who is fond of wine and oil never grows rich.

18 

The evil have to pay the penalty;

the faithless are punished, not the upright.

19 

Better live in a lonely desert

than beside a nagging, quarrelsome woman.

20 

The provident store up precious treasure,

only to have it squandered by a fool.

21 

By following justice and kindness,

a man finds long life and wins honour.

22 

A clever man can scale a mighty city,

and lay the vaunted stronghold low.

23 

He who is careful of his lips and tongue

will manage to keep clear of trouble.

24 

A man who acts with insolent disdain,

an arrogant, haughty man--the name for him is “scoffer.”

25 

A lazy man’s ease is his undoing,

for his hands will not labour;

26 

all the day long he rests at ease--

while the good man works on unceasing.

27 

Sacrifice from evil men God loathes--

much more, when it is offered to atone for crime.

28 

A dishonest witness shall perish,

but a truthful man will never be forgotten.

29 

Rascals are impudent,

but honest men watch themselves anxiously.

30 

Intelligence, skill, strategy--

none can avail against the Eternal.

31 

Chargers are harnessed for the battle,

but saving victory comes from the Eternal.