Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
Unto man belong the resolves of the heart; but from the Lord cometh the expression of the tongue.
2 All a man’s ways are pure in his own eyes, but his motives are weighed out by the LORD.
Every one of the ways of a man is pure in his own eyes; but the Lord measureth the spirits.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Commit unto the Lord thy works, and thy plans will be firmly established.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Every thing hath the Lord wrought for its destined end; yes, even the wicked for the day of unhappiness.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
An abomination of the Lord is every one that is proud of heart: the hand [of God] being against [his] hand, he shall not go unpunished.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
Through kindness and truth is iniquity atoned for; and by the fear of the Lord [men] depart 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 Lord receiveth in favor a man's ways, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great incomes through injustice.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth firmly his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
There should be a wise sentence on the lips of the king: his mouth should never commit a trespass in judging.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
A just balance and scales belong to the Lord: his work are all the weights in the bag.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
It should be an abomination to kings to commit wickedness; for through righteousness [alone] can a throne be established.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
Righteous lips [should obtain] the favor of kings; and him that speaketh uprightly should they love.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The fury of a king is like the messengers of death; but a 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 light of the king's countenance there is life; and his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
How much better is it to obtain wisdom than gold! and to obtain understanding is preferable to silver!
17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he preserveth his soul that watcheth his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Before downfall [goeth] pride, and before stumbling, haughtiness of spirit.
19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Better is it to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
He that reflecteth on a matter wisely will find happiness; and whoso trusteth in the Lord—happiness attend him!
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
The wise in heart is called a man of understanding; and the sweetness of the lips increaseth information.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
Intelligence is a source of life unto its possessor; but the correction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips he increaseth information.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
[Like] the droppings of honey are pleasant sayings, sweet to the soul, and healing to the bones.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
There is many a way which seemeth even before a man, but its end are the ways unto death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
The desire of the laborer laboreth for him; for his mouth imposeth it on him.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
An ungodly man diggeth up mischief, and on his lips there is as it were a scathing fire.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
A perverse man scattereth strife; and a whisperer separateth confident friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
The man of violence misleadeth his neighbor, and maketh him go on a way which is not good.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
He shutteth his eyes to devise perverse things: when he compresseth his lips then hath he fully resolved on evil.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.
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.
One that is slow to anger is better than a hero; and he that ruleth his spirit, than the conqueror of a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
In the lap the lot is cast: but from the Lord cometh the whole of its decision.
