Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
Human beings may make plans in their minds, but the final decision is the Lord's.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
People think that whatever they do is fine, but the Lord looks at their intentions.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Trust whatever you do to the Lord, and your plans will be successful.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
The Lord has a purpose in everything he does, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
The Lord hates the arrogant. You can be certain of this: the wicked won't go unpunished.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
Sin is forgiven through trustworthy love and faithfulness; by honoring the Lord people are saved 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 way that people live pleases the Lord, he makes even their enemies be at peace with them.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Better to have just a little and be honest than to have a lot and be dishonest.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
You can plan in your mind what to do, but the Lord will guide you.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
The king is inspired in what he says; he is not unreliable in his decisions.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
Accurate scales and balances are important to the Lord. He has determined all the weights in the bag.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
It's a terrible thing for a king to do evil, for his throne is based on doing right.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
People who tell the truth please kings; they love those who say what is right.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
An angry king can put you to death. If you're wise you'll try and calm him down.
15 When a king’s face brightens, there is life; his favor is like a rain cloud in spring.
If the king is smiling, you'll live; his blessing is like the clouds that bring spring rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
Far better to get wisdom than gold; far better to choose knowledge than silver.
17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
The highway of the good leads away from evil. If you watch where you're going you'll save your life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better to have a humble spirit and live with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
If you pay attention to wise instruction you will do well; you'll be happy if you trust in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
If you think wisely you'll be called perceptive; if you speak pleasantly you'll be persuasive.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
If you have good sense it will be a fountain of life to you, but stupid people are punished by their stupidity.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
A wise mind makes sure to say sensible things; the words spoken are persuasive.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Kind words are like a honeycomb—they taste sweet and are healthy for the body.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
There's a way that seems to be right, but in the end it's the way of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
A good appetite helps workers—hunger encourages them.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
Worthless people plot evil and their words burn like fire.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
Quarrelsome people cause conflict, and a gossip comes between the closest friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
Violent people lure their friends, and lead them in a direction that's not good for them.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
People who give you a sly wink are plotting bad things; they purse their lips and make evil happen.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
Gray hair is a glorious crown; it's achieved by living right.
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.
Better to be slow to anger than to be powerful, better to have self-control than to conquer a town.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
The lot is thrown into the lap, but the Lord makes every decision.
