Proverbiorum 16
1 Hominis est animam præparare: et Domini gubernare linguam.
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
2 Omnes viæ hominis patent oculis eius: spirituum ponderator est Dominus.
All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the motives.
3 Revela Domino opera tua, et dirigentur cogitationes tuæ.
Commit your deeds to the LORD, and your plans shall succeed.
4 Universa propter semetipsum operatus est Dominus: impium quoque ad diem malum.
The LORD has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Abominatio Domini est omnis arrogans: etiam si manus ad manum fuerit, non est innocens. Initium viæ bonæ, facere iustitiam: accepta est autem apud Deum magis, quam immolare hostias.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 Misericordia et veritate redimitur iniquitas: et in timore Domini declinatur a malo.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
7 Cum placuerint Domino viæ hominis, inimicos quoque eius convertet ad pacem.
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Melius est parum cum iustitia, quam multi fructus cum iniquitate.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
9 Cor hominis disponit viam suam: sed Domini est dirigere gressus eius.
A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
10 Divinatio in labiis regis, in iudicio non errabit os eius.
Inspired judgments are on the lips of the king. He shall not betray his mouth.
11 Pondus et statera iudicia Domini sunt: et opera eius omnes lapides sacculi.
Honest balances and scales are the LORD’s; all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 Abominabiles regi qui agunt impie: quoniam iustitia firmatur solium.
It is an abomination for kings to do wrong, for the throne is established by righteousness.
13 Voluntas regum labia iusta: qui recta loquitur, diligetur:
Righteous lips are the delight of kings. They value one who speaks the truth.
14 Indignatio regis, nuncii mortis: et vir sapiens placabit eam.
The king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
15 In hilaritate vultus regis, vita: et clementia eius quasi imber serotinus.
In the light of the king’s face is life. His favor is like a cloud of the spring rain.
16 Posside sapientiam, quia auro melior est: et acquire prudentiam, quia pretiosior est argento.
How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! Yes, to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
17 Semita iustorum declinat mala: custos animæ suæ servat viam suam.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil. He who keeps his way preserves his soul.
18 Contritionem præcedit superbia: et ante ruinam exaltatur spiritus.
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
19 Melius est humiliari cum mitibus, quam dividere spolia cum superbis.
It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the plunder with the proud.
20 Eruditus in verbo reperiet bona: et qui sperat in Domino, beatus est.
He who heeds the Word finds prosperity. Whoever trusts in the LORD is blessed.
21 Qui sapiens est corde, appellabitur prudens: et qui dulcis eloquio, maiora percipiet.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
22 Fons vitæ eruditio possidentis: doctrina stultorum fatuitas.
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
23 Cor sapientis erudiet os eius: et labiis eius addet gratiam.
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
24 Favus mellis, composita verba: dulcedo animæ, sanitas ossium.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
25 Est via quæ videtur homini recta: et novissima eius ducunt ad mortem.
There is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
26 Anima laborantis laborat sibi, quia compulit eum os suum:
The appetite of the laboring man labors for him, for his mouth urges him on.
27 Vir impius fodit malum, et in labiis eius ignis ardescit.
A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
28 Homo perversus suscitat lites: et verbosus separat principes.
A perverse man stirs up strife. A whisperer separates close friends.
29 Vir iniquus lactat amicum suum: et ducit eum per viam non bonam.
A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good.
30 Qui attonitis oculis cogitat prava, mordens labia sua, perficit malum.
One who winks his eyes to plot perversities, one who compresses his lips, is bent on evil.
31 Corona dignitatis senectus, quæ in viis iustitiæ reperietur.
Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.
32 Melior est patiens viro forti: et qui dominatur animo suo, expugnatore urbium.
One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.
33 Sortes mittuntur in sinum, sed a Domino temperantur.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
