Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
It is for man to prepare the soul, and for the Lord to govern the tongue.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
All the ways of a man are open to his eyes; the Lord is the one who weighs spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Open your works to the Lord, and your intentions will be set in order.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
The Lord has wrought all things because of himself. Likewise the impious is for the evil day.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
All the arrogant are an abomination to the Lord. Even if hand will be joined to hand, he is not innocent. The beginning of a good way is to do justice. And this is more acceptable with God than to immolate sacrifices.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
By mercy and truth, iniquity is redeemed. And by the fear of the Lord, one turns away from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
When the ways of man will please the Lord, he will convert even his enemies to peace.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Better is a little with justice, than many fruits with iniquity.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
The heart of man disposes his way. But it is for Lord to direct his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
Foreknowledge is in the lips of the king. His mouth shall not err in judgment.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
Weights and scales are judgments of the Lord. And all the stones in the bag are his work.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
Those who act impiously are abominable to the king. For the throne is made firm by justice.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
Just lips are the will of kings. He who speaks honestly shall be loved.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The indignation of a king is a herald of death. And the wise man will appease it.
15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
In the cheerfulness of the king’s countenance, there is life. And his clemency is like belated rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
Possess wisdom, for it is better than gold. And acquire prudence, for it is more precious than silver.
17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
The path of the just turns away from evils. He who guards his soul preserves his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Arrogance precedes destruction. And the spirit is exalted before a fall.
19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the arrogant.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
The learned in word shall find good things. And whoever hopes in the Lord is blessed.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
Learning is a fountain of life to one who possesses it. The doctrine of the foolish is senseless.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Careful words are a honeycomb: sweet to the soul and healthful to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
There is a way which seems right to a man, and its end result leads to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
The soul of the laborer labors for himself, because his mouth has driven him to it.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
A perverse man stirs up lawsuits. And one who is verbose divides leaders.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A man of iniquity entices his friend, and he leads him along a way that is not good.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
Whoever, with astonished eyes, thinks up depravities, biting his lips, accomplishes evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Old age is a crown of dignity, when it is found in the ways of justice.
32 He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
A patient man is better than a strong one. And whoever rules his soul is better than one who assaults cities.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Lots are cast into the lap, but they are tempered by the Lord.
