Proverbs 16
1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.
The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
2 All the ways of a man [are] clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.
Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil.
By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better [is] a little with righteousness than great revenues without right.
Better is a little with what is right, than a large income with injustice.
9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.
In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
10 A divine sentence [is] in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
11 A just weight and balance [are] the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag [are] his work.
Honest scales come from Yahweh; 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.
When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
13 Righteous lips [are] the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
14 The wrath of a king [is as] messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.
A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
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 a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
16 How much better [is it] to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
17 The highway of the upright [is] to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
The highway of upright people turns away from evil; the one who protects his life guards his way.
18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy [is] he.
Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.
21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
22 Understanding [is] a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools [is] folly.
Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words [are as] an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself; for his mouth craveth it of him.
The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire.
A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
29 A violent man enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him into the way [that is] not good.
A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.
The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.
31 The hoary head [is] a crown of glory, [if] it be found in the way of righteousness.
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
32 [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
It is better to be slow to anger than to be a warrior and one who rules his spirit is stronger than one who conquers a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof [is] of the LORD.
The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
