Proverbs 16

1 The preparations of the heart belong to man: but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from Jehovah.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes: but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but Jehovah weighs the motives.

3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Entrust your works to Jehovah, and your plans will be established.

4 The LORD hath made every thing for its own end: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.

Jehovah 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 an abomination to the LORD: [though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished.

Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Jehovah: they shall certainly not be unpunished.

6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Jehovah men depart from evil.

7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

When a man's ways please Jehovah, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

8 Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice.

Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.

9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

A man's heart plans his course, but Jehovah directs his steps.

10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth shall not transgress in judgment.

Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.

11 A just balance and scales are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work.

Honest balances and scales are Jehovah'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 or kings; and they love him that speaketh right.

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 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 gold! yea, to get understanding is rather 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 highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth 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 an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.

19 Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, 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 unto the word shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

He who heeds the word finds prosperity, and blessed is he who trusts in Jehovah.

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the correction of fools is [their] 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 instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning 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 health to the bones.

25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are 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 labouring man laboureth for him; for his mouth craveth it of him.

The appetite of the laboring man labors for him; for his mouth urges him on.

27 A worthless man deviseth mischief: and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.

A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.

28 A froward man scattereth abroad strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

A perverse man stirs up strife, and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A man of violence enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in 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: he that compresseth his lips 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, it shall be 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 disposing thereof is of the LORD.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from Jehovah.