Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
To man belongeth the preparation of the heart; But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
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 pure in his own eyes; But the LORD weigheth the spirit.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Commit thy doings to the LORD, And thy purposes shall be established.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
The LORD hath ordained every thing for its end; Yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; From generation to generation he shall not be 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, iniquity is expiated; And, through 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 a man's ways please the LORD, 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 revenues without right.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
The heart of man deviseth his way, But the LORD establisheth his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
A divine sentence is upon the lips of a king; His mouth transgresseth not in judgment.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
A just balance and scales are the appointment of the LORD; All the weights of the bag are his work.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
The doing of wickedness is an abomination to kings; For by righteousness is the throne established.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And they love him who speaketh right things.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The wrath of a king is messengers of death; But a wise man will pacify 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 is life, And his favor is a like a cloud bringing 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 get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
It is the highway of the upright to depart from evil; He that taketh heed to his way preserveth his life.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
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 share the spoil with the proud.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
He who giveth heed to the word shall find good; And he who trusteth in the LORD, happy is he!
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
The wise in heart shall be called intelligent, And sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
Understanding is a wellspring of life to him that hath it. And the chastisement of fools is their folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise man instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet to the taste, and health 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 that seemeth right to a man, But the end thereof is the way to death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
The hunger of the laborer laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A worthless man diggeth mischief, And on his lips there is, as it were, a burning fire.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
A deceitful man stirreth up strife, And a whisperer separateth friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him into a way which is not good.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
He who shutteth his eyes to devise fraud, He who compresseth his lips, hath accomplished mischief!
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness.
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.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he who ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole decision thereof is from the LORD.
