Proverbs 16
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the works of the humble [man] are manifest with God; but the ungodly shall perish in an evil day.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every one that is proud in heart is unclean before God, and he that unjustly strikes hands with hand shall not be held guiltless. The beginning of a good way is to do justly; and it is more acceptable with God than to offer sacrifices. He that seeks the Lord shall find knowledge with righteousness: and they that rightly seek him shall find peace. All of the works of the Lord [are done] with righteousness; and the ungodly [man] is kept for the evil day.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 [There is] an oracle upon the lips of a king; and his mouth shall not err in judgement.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 The poise of the balance is righteousness with the Lord; and his works are righteous measures.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 An evil-doer is an abomination to a king; for the throne of rule is established by righteousness.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are acceptable to a king; and he loves right words.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The anger of a king is a messenger of death; but a wise man will pacify him.
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 The son of a king is in the light of life; and they that are in favour with him are as a cloud of latter rain.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 The brood of wisdom is more to be chosen than gold, and the brood of prudence more to be chosen 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 paths of life turn aside from evil; and the ways of righteousness are length of life. He that receives instruction shall be in prosperity; and he that regards reproofs shall be made wise. He that keeps his ways, preserves his own soul; and he that loves his life will spare his mouth.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and folly before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Better is a meek-spirited [man] with lowliness, than one who divides 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 [He who is] skilful in business finds good: but he that trusts in God is most blessed.
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 [Men] call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessors; but the instruction of fools is evil.
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 will discern the [things which proceed] from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Good words are honeycombs, and the sweetness thereof is a healing of the soul.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There are ways that seem to be right to a man, but the end of them looks to the depth of hell. (questioned)
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 A man who labours, labours for himself, and drives from [him] his own ruin.
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A perverse man spreads mischief, and will kindle a torch of deceit with mischiefs; and he separates friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A transgressor tries [to ensnare] friends, and leads them in ways [that are] not good.
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 And the man that fixes his eyes devises perverse things, and marks out with his lips all evil: he is a furnace of wickedness.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Old age is a crown of honour, but it is found in the ways of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 A man slow to anger is better than a strong [man]; and he that governs [his] temper better than he that takes a city.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 All [evils] come upon the ungodly into [their] bosoms; but all righteous things [come] of the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
