Proverbs 16

1 It is the part of man to prepare the soul: and of the Lord to govern the tongue.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

2 All the ways of a man are open to his eyes: the Lord is the weigher of spirits.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the motives.

3 Lay open thy works to the Lord: and thy thoughts shall be directed.

Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.

4 The Lord hath made all things for himself: the wicked also for the evil day.

The LORD has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

5 Every proud man is an abomination to the Lord: though hand should be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice; and this is more acceptable with God, than to offer sacrifices.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is redeemed: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.

By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

7 When the ways of man shall please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.

When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with justice, than great revenues with iniquity.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

9 The heart of man disposeth his way: but the Lord must direct his steps.

A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

10 Divination is in the lips of the king, his mouth shall not err in judgment.

Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11 Weight and balance are judgments of the Lord: and his work all the weights of the bag.

Honest balances and scales are the LORD's; all the weights in the bag are his work.

12 They that act wickedly are abominable to the king: for the throne is established by justice.

It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.

13 Just lips are the delight of kings: he that speaketh right things shall be loved.

Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.

14 The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: and the wise man will pacify it.

The king's wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.

15 In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance is life: and his clemency is like the latter rain.

In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.

16 Get wisdom, because it is better than gold: and purchase prudence, for it is more precious than silver.

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.

17 The path of the just departeth from evils: he that keepeth his soul keepeth his way.

The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.

20 The learned in word shall find good things: and he that trusteth in the Lord is blessed.

He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22 Knowledge is a fountain of life to him that possesseth it: the instruction of fools is foolishness.

Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.

23 The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

24 Well ordered words are as a honeycomb: sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth to a man right: and the ends thereof lead to death.

There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

26 The soul of him that laboureth, laboureth for himself, because his mouth hath obliged him to it.

The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

27 The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.

A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A perverse man stirreth up quarrels: and one full of words separateth princes.

A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.

29 An unjust man allureth his friend: and leadeth him into a way that is not good.

A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.

30 He that with fixed eyes deviseth wicked things, biting his lips, bringeth: evil to pass.

One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.

31 Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.

Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness.

32 The patient man is better than the valiant: and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh cities.

One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

33 Lots are cast into the lap, but they are disposed of by the Lord.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.