Proverbs 16
1 The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4 The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
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 righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
Inspired judgements are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favour is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired 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 highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
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 man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
The appetite of the labouring man labours for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
A man of violence entices his neighbour, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
Grey hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
