Proverbs 16
1 The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
To man, belong the preparations of the heart, but, from Yahweh, cometh the answer of 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, [may be] pure in his own eyes, but, he that testeth spirits, is Yahweh.
3 Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
Roll, upon Yahweh, thy doings, that thy plans, may be established.
4 The LORD has made everything for His purpose— even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Everything, hath Yahweh made for its own purpose, yea, even the lawless one, for the day of calamity.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is detestable to the LORD; be assured that he will not go unpunished.
An abomination to Yahweh, is every one who is haughty in heart, hand to hand, he shall not be held innocent.
6 By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns aside from evil.
By lovingkindness and fidelity, shall iniquity be covered, and, in the revering of Yahweh, is a turning away from wrong.
7 When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even the man’s enemies live at peace with him.
When, acceptable to Yahweh, are the ways of a man, even his enemies, doth he cause to make peace with him.
8 Better a little with righteousness than great gain with injustice.
Better a little with righteousness, than large revenues, without justice.
9 A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
A man’s heart, deviseth his way, but, Yahweh, directeth his steps.
10 A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice.
An oracle, is on the lips of a king, in giving sentence, his mouth must not be unfaithful.
11 Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.
The balance and scales of justice, belong to Yahweh, and, his handiwork, are all the weights of the bag.
12 Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a throne is established through righteousness.
The abomination of kings, is to work lawlessness, for, by righteousness, is established a throne.
13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight, and he who speaks honestly is beloved.
The delight of kings, are lips of righteousness, —and, the words of uprightness, he loveth.
14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
The wrath of a king, [meaneth] messengers of death, but, a man who is wise, 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 a king’s countenance, is life, and, his good-pleasure, is like the cloud of harvest-rain.
16 How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
To acquire wisdom, how much better than gold! and, to get hold of understanding, more choice than 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 avoid evil, He preserveth his soul, who guardeth his way.
18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Before grievous injury, pride! and, before a fall, 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 lowliness of spirit, with the patient, than a portion of spoil, with the proud.
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
He that showeth discretion concerning a matter, shall find good, and, he that trusteth in Yahweh, how 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 lips, increaseth persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
A well-spring of life, is discretion to its owner, but, the correction of the foolish, is folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
The heart of the wise, giveth discretion to his mouth, and, upon his lips, increaseth persuasiveness.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
A comb of honey, are pleasant words, sweet to the taste and healing to the bone.
25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
There is a way that enticeth a man, but, at the latter end thereof, are the ways of death.
26 A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward.
The appetite of the toiler, hath toiled for him, for his mouth, hath urged him on.
27 A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
An abandoned man, diggeth up mischief, —and, upon his lips, as it were a fire is scorching.
28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
A perverse man, sendeth forth strife, and, a tattler, separateth intimate friends.
29 A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.
A ruthless man, enticeth his neighbour, and leadeth him in a way, not good.
30 He who winks his eye devises perversity; he who purses his lips is bent on evil.
Closing his eyes, to devise perverse things, biting his lips, he hath plotted mischief.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is attained along the path of righteousness.
A crown of adorning, is a hoary head, in the way of righteousness, it should 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.
Better he that is slow to anger, than a hero, and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that captureth a city.
33 The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Into the lap, is cast the lot, but, from Yahweh, is its every decision.
