Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to a person, but from Yahweh comes the answer from his tongue.
The designs of the heart are man's, but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
2 All of a person's ways are pure in his own eyes, but Yahweh weighs the spirits.
All a man's ways are clean to himself; but the Lord puts men's spirits into his scales.
3 Commit your works to Yahweh and your plans will succeed.
Put your works into the hands of the Lord, and your purposes will be made certain.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
The Lord has made everything for his purpose, even the sinner for the day of evil.
5 Yahweh hates everyone who has an arrogant heart, but be sure of this, they will not go unpunished.
Everyone who has pride in his heart is disgusting to the Lord: he will certainly not go free from punishment.
6 By covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness iniquity is atoned for and by the fear of Yahweh people turn away from evil.
By mercy and good faith evil-doing is taken away: and by the fear of the Lord men are turned away from evil.
7 When a person's ways are pleasing to Yahweh, he makes even that person's enemies to be at peace with him.
When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, he makes even his haters be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with what is right, than a large income with injustice.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great wealth with wrongdoing.
9 In his heart a person plans out his way, but Yahweh directs his steps.
A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps.
10 Insightful decisions are on the lips of a king, his mouth should not betray justice.
Decision is in the lips of the king: his mouth will not go wrong in judging.
11 Honest scales come from Yahweh; all the weights in the bag are his work.
True measures and scales are the Lord's: all the weights of the bag are his work.
12 When kings do wicked things, that is something to be despised, for a throne is established by doing what is right.
Evil-doing is disgusting to kings: for the seat of the ruler is based on righteousness.
13 A king delights in lips that say what is right and he loves the one who speaks directly.
Lips of righteousness are the delight of kings; and he who says what is upright is dear to him.
14 A king's wrath is a messenger of death but a wise man will try to calm his anger.
The wrath of the king is like those who give news of death, but a wise man will put peace in place of it.
15 In the light of a king's face is life and his favor is like a cloud that brings a spring rain.
In the light of the king's face there is life; and his approval is like a cloud of spring rain.
16 How much better it is to get wisdom than gold. To get understanding should be chosen more than silver.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get knowledge is more to be desired than silver.
17 The highway of upright people turns away from evil; the one who protects his life guards his way.
The highway of the upright is to be turned away from evil: he who takes care of his way will keep his soul.
18 Pride comes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a downfall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
19 It is better to be humble among poor people than to divide the spoil with proud people.
Better it is to have a gentle spirit with the poor, than to take part in the rewards of war with men of pride.
20 Whoever contemplates what they are taught will find what is good, and those who trust in Yahweh will be blessed.
He who gives attention to the law of right will get good; and whoever puts his faith in the Lord is happy.
21 The one who is wise in heart is called discerning and sweetness of speech improves the ability to teach.
The wise-hearted will be named men of good sense: and by pleasing words learning is increased.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, but the instruction of fools is their foolishness.
Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it; but the punishment of the foolish is their foolish behaviour.
23 The heart of a wise person gives insight to his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise man is the teacher of his mouth, and gives increased learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Pleasing words are like honey, sweet to the soul and new life to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
There is a way which seems straight before a man, but its end is the ways of death.
26 The laborer's appetite works for him; his hunger urges him on.
The desire of the working man is working for him, for his need of food is driving him on.
27 A worthless person digs up mischief and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A good-for-nothing man is a designer of evil, and in his lips there is a burning fire.
28 A perverse person stirs up conflict and a gossip separates close friends.
A man of twisted purposes is a cause of fighting everywhere: and he who says evil secretly makes trouble between friends.
29 A man of violence lies to his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A violent man puts desire of evil into his neighbour's mind, and makes him go in a way which is not good.
30 The one who winks the eye is plotting perverse things; those who purse the lips will bring evil to pass.
He whose eyes are shut is a man of twisted purposes, and he who keeps his lips shut tight makes evil come about.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living the right way.
The grey head is a crown of glory, if it is seen in the way of righteousness.
32 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.
He who is slow to be angry is better than a man of war, and he who has control over his spirit than he who takes a town.
33 The lots are cast into the lap, but the decision is from Yahweh.
A thing may be put to the decision of chance, but it comes about through the Lord.
