Proverbs 16
1 The purposes of the heart are of man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.
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 clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weigheth the spirits.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Commit thy works unto Jehovah, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Entrust your works to the LORD, and your plans will be established.
4 Jehovah hath wrought everything on his own account, yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
The LORD has made everything for its own end—yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Every proud heart is an abomination to Jehovah: hand for hand, he shall not be held innocent.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By loving-kindness and truth iniquity is atoned for; and by the fear of Jehovah [men] depart 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 please Jehovah, he maketh even his enemies to 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 revenues without right.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man deviseth his way, but Jehovah directeth his steps.
A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of the king: his mouth will not err in judgment.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 The just balance and scales are Jehovah'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 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for the throne is established by righteousness.
It is an abomination to kings to do wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and they love him that speaketh aright.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 The fury of a king is [as] messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify 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 countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.
In the light of the king's face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 How much better is it to get wisdom than fine gold, and the getting of intelligence to be preferred to 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 depart from evil: he that taketh heed to his way keepeth his soul.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the meek, than to divide the spoil 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 that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.
He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
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 maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are [as] a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof 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 appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.
27 A man of Belial diggeth up evil, and on his lips there is as a scorching fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A false man soweth contention; and a talebearer separateth very friends.
A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, 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 shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise froward things; biting his lips, he bringeth evil to pass.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 The hoary head is a crown of glory, [if] it is found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is found in the path of righteousness.
32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh 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 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole decision is of Jehovah.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
