Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart are in man: but the answere of the tongue is of the Lord.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 All the wayes of a man are cleane in his owne eyes: but the Lord pondereth the spirits.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Commit thy workes vnto the Lord, and thy thoughts shalbe directed.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4 The Lord hath made all things for his owne sake: yea, euen the wicked for the day of euill.
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 All that are proude in heart, are an abomination to the Lord: though hand ioyne in hand, he shall not be vnpunished.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and trueth iniquitie shalbe forgiuen, and by the feare of the Lord they depart from euill.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 When the wayes of a man please the Lord, he will make also his enemies 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 litle with righteousnesse, then great reuenues without equitie.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man purposeth his way: but the Lord doeth direct his steppes.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 A diuine sentence shalbe in the lips of the King: his mouth shall not transgresse in iudgement.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 A true weight and balance are of the Lord: all the weightes of the bagge are his worke.
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 wickednes: for the throne is stablished by iustice.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Righteous lips are the delite of Kings, and the King loueth him that speaketh right things.
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: but a wise man will pacifie it.
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In the light of the Kings coutenance is life: and his fauour is as a cloude of the latter raine.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 Howe much better is it to get wisedome then golde? and to get vnderstanding, is more to be desired then siluer.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 The pathe of the righteous is to decline from euil, and hee keepeth his soule, that 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 an high minde before the fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of humble minde with the lowly, then to deuide the spoyles with the proude.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 He that is wise in his busines, shall finde good: and he that trusteth in the Lord, he is blessed.
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall bee called prudent: and the sweetenesse of the lippes shall increase doctrine.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Vnderstading is welspring of life vnto them that haue it: and the instruction of fooles 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 guideth his mouth wisely, and addeth doctrine to his lippes.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Faire wordes are as an hony combe, sweetenesse to the soule, 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 right vnto man: but the issue thereof are the wayes of death.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 The person that traueileth, traueileth for himselfe: for his mouth craueth it of him.
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 A wicked man diggeth vp euill, and in his lippes is like burning fire.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A frowarde person soweth strife: and a tale teller maketh diuision among princes.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 A wicked man deceiueth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way that is not good.
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to deuise wickednes: he moueth his lippes, and bringeth euil to passe.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Age is a crowne of glory, when it is founde in the way of righteousnes.
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 He that is slowe vnto anger, is better then the mightie man: and hee that ruleth his owne minde, is better then he that winneth a citie.
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 disposition thereof is of the Lord.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
